Isoflurane

Major Uses

Isoflurane is a general anesthetic used in inhalant form. It is administered to animals prior to surgery.

Common Precautions

Isoflurane should not be used inIsoflurane is a general anesthetic that is administered in inhalant form to animals prior to surgery. Visit VetDepot for more pet medication information. animals that have a history or predilection toward malignant hyperthermia. Caution should be used with patients suffering from increased CSF, head injury, or myasthenia gravis. Isoflurane may irritate the respiratory system and should not be used for mask induction. Horses may require intermittent positive pressure ventilation to counteract isoflurane's respiratory depressant effects. Caution should be used in pregnant patients, as isoflurane has proven to be fetotoxic in some animals.

Some negative effects associated with isoflurane include hypotension, dose-dependent respiratory depression, nausea, ileus, and vomiting. While rare, patients may also experience cardiodepression and arrhythmias.

Isoflurane should not be used in animals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to the drug. A veterinarian should be contacted immediately if any unusual symptoms are displayed after the medication is administered or an overdose is suspected.

Storage

Isoflurane should be kept at room temperature in a light resistant, childproof container. It should be stored where children and pets will not be able to reach it.

Administration

All doses of isoflurane are mixed with fresh gas during anesthesia. For dogs and cats, a typical dose is 5 percent during induction and 1.5-2.5 percent for maintenance. For small rodents, a typical dose is 2-3 percent during induction and .25-2 percent for maintenance. For reptiles, 5 percent is a typical dose during induction and 3-5 percent is used for maintenance. Small birds can receive isoflurane at a dose of 4 percent for 15-30 seconds with a 1.5-2 percent dose for maintenance. Dose amounts should be strictly followed, as doubling or increasing without veterinarian assistance may cause an overdose to occur.

Doses may vary in different species, when the drug is given by a different route or concurrently with other medications, and with regards to a patient's age, breed, and health status. A veterinarian's dosing instructions and/or those printed on the medication label should be followed closely.