HYPERKALEMIA IN FOUR ANESTHETIZED RED WOLVES (CANIS RUFUS)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Anesthesiology
• Wildlife Conservation Medicine
• Canid Physiology

Background:

• Hyperkalemia is a critical condition characterized by elevated serum potassium levels.
• Anesthetic protocols in wildlife, particularly for endangered species like red wolves (Canis rufus), require careful monitoring for adverse events.
• Routine anesthetic procedures in red wolves have not been extensively studied for electrolyte disturbances.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the occurrence of hyperkalemia in clinically healthy red wolves during anesthesia.
• To identify potential contributing factors to hyperkalemia in this species.
• To evaluate the efficacy of terbutaline in treating hyperkalemia in red wolves.

Main Methods:

• Four red wolves underwent anesthesia using a combination of dexmedetomidine, ketamine, and midazolam or butorphanol.
• Anesthetic duration varied from 60 to 420 minutes.
• Electrocardiography (ECG) was used for cardiac monitoring in three cases; terbutaline was administered subcutaneously (0.01 mg/kg) to three wolves for hyperkalemia treatment.

Main Results:

• All four red wolves developed hyperkalemia during anesthesia.
• Three of the four hyperkalemic wolves were successfully treated with terbutaline.
• No bradyarrhythmias were observed in the three wolves monitored with ECG.
• All wolves recovered from anesthesia, with one experiencing a prolonged recovery.

Conclusions:

• Hyperkalemia is a potential risk during red wolf anesthesia, possibly influenced by anesthetic duration, alpha-2 agonists, hyperthermia, or genetics.
• Serial blood gas and electrolyte measurements are recommended during red wolf anesthesia, especially with prolonged procedures or hyperthermia.
• Terbutaline shows promise as a successful treatment for hyperkalemia in red wolves.