Respiratory arrest after Isoflurane in cats

49 reports to the FDA describe respiratory arrest in cats given Isoflurane. That is 2.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

49Reports

94%Marked serious

14%Recovered

69%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

35 80%

1–2 days

2 4.5%

3–7 days

3 6.8%

1–4 weeks

2 4.5%

Over a month

2 4.5%

How the animals did

Recovered

7 14%

Still unwell when reported

6 12%

Died

31 63%

Euthanised

3 6.1%

Not known

2 4.1%

Problems reported at the same time

34 69%

28 57%

9 18%

9 18%

7 14%

Eye or vision problems

7 14%

Kidney problems

6 12%

Dilated pupils

6 12%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Isoflurane cause respiratory arrest in cats?: 49 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within the same day of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Respiratory arrest with similar medicines

Respiratory arrest after Ketamine 52 reports · 1.6% of its reports
Respiratory arrest after Butorphanol 60 reports · 2.7% of its reports
Respiratory arrest after Tiletamine + Zolazepam 42 reports · 2.5% of its reports

All reported side effects of Isoflurane in cats · Medicines most reported with respiratory arrest