Anaphylaxis

Buy now to access the full article, existing subscribers login

Sections available in full article Introduction, Presenting signs, Acute presentation, Cost considerations, Special risks (e.g. anesthetic), Pathogenesis, Etiology, Pathophysiology, Timecourse (incubation, duration), Diagnosis, Presenting problems, Client history, Clinical signs, Diagnostic investigation, Confirmation of diagnosis, Gross autopsy findings, Histopathology findings, Differential diagnosis, Treatment, Initial symptomatic treatment, Standard treatment, Monitoring, Prevention, Prophylaxis, Sequelae, Prognosis, Expected response to treatment, Reasons for treatment failure, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Dr Kyle Braund BVSc MVSc PhD FRCVS DipACVIM
Synonyms Anaphylactic shock, angiedema

Introduction

  • Cause : systemic Type I hypersensitivity response.
  • Signs : facial urticaria and pruritus, vomiting, shock.
  • Diagnosis : history and clinical signs.
  • Treatment : intravenous fluids, corticosteroids, antihistamine.
  • Prognosis : good if responds to immediate emergency treatment.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs


Clinical presentation may be variable depending upon the sensitivity of the individual patient and the type, amount and route of antigen exposure.
  • Signs of shock  Shock  :
    • Tachycardia.
    • Tachypnea.
    • Pallor.
    • Poor peripheral pulses.
  • Hepatomegaly.
  • Facial edema (thickening of pinnae).
  • Urticarial wheals.

Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis

  • Other forms of shock  Shock  .
  • Poisoning  Poisoning: overview  .
  • Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis.
  • Non-immunological angiedema.

Sequelae

Prognosis

  • Good if survive acute episode.

Expected response to treatment

  • Return of normal cardiorespiratory function.
  • Resolution of facial edema.

Reasons for treatment failure

  • Inadequate emergency care.
  • Severity of reaction. (Reaction to allergen is based on route of administration, quantity administered, potency of allergen.)

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Mueller D L & Noxon J O (1990)Anaphylaxis; pathophysiology and treatment.Comp Cont Ed Pract Vet12, 157-170.

Other sources of information

  • Cohen R D (1995)Systemic anaphylaxis.In:Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XII.J D Bonagura (ed). Philadelphia: W B Saunders. pp 150-152.

Sample content only, to unlock the full article login or buy now

Loading...