Hematologic and serum biochemical alterations associated with multiple halothane anesthesia exposures and minor...

Five horses were anesthetized similarly by use of xylazine, guaifenesin, thiamylal sodium, and halothane in oxygen on 3 consecutive days, and minor surgical procedures were performed. For 1 to 10 days after the last anesthetic exposure, clinical, hematologic, and serum biochemical features were monitored, and after necropsy, histologic examination of major organ tissues was performed. Predominant hematologic changes from base-line values included leukocytosis (maximal at 27 hours, 10,500 +/- 1,750 cells/microliter), neutrophilia (maximal at 51 hours, 7,485 +/- 1,719 cells/microliter), and lymphopenia (minimal at 51 hours, 1,636 +/- 564 cells/microliter). Alterations observed in other clinicopathologic features were minor and indicative of mild renal disturbance and nonspecific cellular necrosis. Histopathologic lesions in the liver were mild.