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. 2023 Jul;54(2):387-393.
doi: 10.1638/2022-0100.

HYPERKALEMIA IN FOUR ANESTHETIZED RED WOLVES (CANIS RUFUS)

Caitlin M Hepps Keeney  1 , Melinda A Gorges  1 , Megan M Gremling  1 , Sathya K Chinnadurai  2 , Tara M Harrison  3
Affiliations

HYPERKALEMIA IN FOUR ANESTHETIZED RED WOLVES (CANIS RUFUS)

Caitlin M Hepps Keeney et al. J Zoo Wildl Med. 2023 Jul.

Abstract

Four clinically healthy red wolves (Canis rufus) developed hyperkalemia during routine anesthetic procedures. All cases were anesthetized using a combination of dexmedetomidine (10-24 mcg/kg), ketamine (2-3 mg/kg), and either midazolam (0.25-0.5 mg/kg) or butorphanol (0.2-0.48 mg/kg). Additional anesthetics were given to effect. Total anesthetic time ranged from 60 to 420 min. Three out of four cases were treated using terbutaline (0.01 mg/kg SC), which successfully resolved the hyperkalemia. No bradyarrhythmias were seen in any cases where electrocardiography (ECG) was monitored (3/4). All cases recovered from anesthesia, with one prolonged recovery. All animals are clinically healthy at the time of writing. Factors including anesthetic duration, the use of α-2 agonists, hyperthermia, and genetics are discussed as possible triggers for hyperkalemia. Serial blood gases, with electrolyte measurements, are recommended during anesthesia of red wolves, particularly when anesthetic time may be prolonged or the patient suffers from hyperthermia. Terbutaline appears to be a successful treatment should hyperkalemia arise.

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