Arrhythmia after Isoflurane in dogs

The FDA has received 44 reports of arrhythmia in dogs after Isoflurane. That is 1.6% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

44Reports

45%Marked serious

45%Recovered

27%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

18 78%

1–2 days

0 0.0%

3–7 days

2 8.7%

1–4 weeks

1 4.3%

Over a month

2 8.7%

How the animals did

Recovered

20 45%

Still unwell when reported

4 9.1%

Died

8 18%

Euthanised

4 9.1%

Not known

8 18%

Problems reported at the same time

23 52%

16 36%

10 23%

8 18%

7 16%

6 14%

Didn't work as expected

5 11%

Swelling

4 9.1%

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 arrhythmia in dogs?: 44 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).

Arrhythmia with similar medicines

Arrhythmia after Melarsomine (Immiticide) 40 reports · 0.2% of its reports
Arrhythmia after Butorphanol 50 reports · 1.1% of its reports
Arrhythmia after Tramadol 20 reports · 0.5% of its reports
Arrhythmia after Propofol 52 reports · 1.7% of its reports
Arrhythmia after Atipamezole 32 reports · 1.2% of its reports
Arrhythmia after Medetomidine 31 reports · 1.5% of its reports
Arrhythmia after Sevoflurane 20 reports · 2.4% of its reports

All reported side effects of Isoflurane in dogs · Medicines most reported with arrhythmia