Acute necrotic cardiomyopathy in dogs anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine : case report

Abstract

The combination of xylazine and ketamine has been used for decades to anesthetize dogs and cats undergoing surgical procedures. Three dogs died two to four days after being anesthetized with this combination without any know complications during the anesthetic procedure. White multifocal areas were present in the hearts of the three dogs, which histologically corresponded to marked necrosis of cardiomyocytes. Epidemiological and anatomopathological findings suggest that the dogs died because of cardiac impairment caused by the anesthetic combination.

A combinação de xilazina e quetamina tem sido usada há décadas para anestesiar cães e gatos submetidos a procedimentos cirúrgicos. Três cães morreram dois a quatro dias após serem anestesiados com essa combinação, sem quaisquer complicações conhecidas durante o procedimento anestésico. Foram observadas áreas multifocais brancas no coração dos três cães, o que histologicamente correspondia a acentuada necrose de cardiomiócitos. Achados epidemiológicos e anatomopatológicos sugerem que os cães foram a óbito devido ao comprometimento cardíaco causado pela combinação anestésica.