Professional paper

Review of perianesthetic mortality in domestic animals

Andrea Gudan Kurilj ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb
Ana Maria Bašić ; Anicura Kleintierzentrum Neu-Ulm, Leipheimer Str. 9, Neu-Ulm, Germany
Ivana Mihoković Buhin ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb
Lidija Medven Zagradišnik ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb
Doroteja Huber ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb
Ivan Conrado Šoštarić-Zuckermann ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb
Marko Hohšteter ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb
Branka Artuković ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb
Željko Grabarević ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb
Ozren Smolec ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb

Abstract

The sudden death of an animal in the perianesthetic period is stressful not only for the owners but also for veterinarians. Animals that die during sedation, anesthesia, or within 24 hours postanesthesia represent a relatively small but important number of cases that are almost regularly submitted for necropsy to diagnostic laboratories. However, surveys presenting the causes of death of these animals are rare. The aim of the present study was a retrospective analysis of necropsy findings in animals submitted to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, in the period from 2009 to 2019, that died in the perianesthetic period. During this period, 2376 animals were submitted for necropsy, of which 37 animals (1.6%) were submitted with a history of unexpected death in the perianesthetic period. The majority of animals were dogs (26/37, 70%) and cats (7/37, 19%). In all 37 animals, in addition to data about the owners and animals, anamnestic data included the reason why the animal was sedated or anesthetized, and time of death (sedation, induction to anesthesia, maintenance of anesthesia, or 24 hours postanesthesia). The majority of animals (19/37, 51%) died within 24 hours postanesthesia. Pathological changes that were sufficient as the cause of the death of the animals in the perianesthetic period were found in 15/37 (40%) animals, and the changes mostly affected the heart and respiratory system. Complications associated with surgery were found in 4/37 (11%) animals, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) was found in 6/37 (16%) animals. In the remaining 12/37 (32%) animals, cardiorespiratory arrest was identified as the cause of death, most likely as a consequence of anesthesia, without other pathological changes that could contribute to the death of the animals in the peranesthetic period. The main goal of necropsy in animals that die in the perianesthetic period is exclusion of certain pathological conditions and iatrogenic complications that may be the cause of death. In defining the cause of death in perianesthetic mortality cases a detailed clinical history and dialogue between the clinicians and pathologists is of great importance.

Keywords

perianesthetic period; necropsy; causes of death; dog; cat; parrot; ferret; fawn

Hrčak ID:

245239

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/245239

Publication date:

5.10.2020.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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