Hiccup-Like Response in a Dog Anesthetized with Isoflurane

Abstract EN

An eight-year-old, female intact Golden Retriever underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for investigation of urinary and faecal incontinence.

Soon after induction of general anesthesia, tracheal intubation, and isoflurane administration, hiccup-like movements were evident.

These hiccup-like movements did not respond to hyperventilation and increase of anesthetic.

After having ruled out pulmonary disease, the animal was reanesthetized with a similar technique; hiccup-like movements reoccurred and did not stop after discontinuation of isoflurane and commencement of a propofol infusion.

Eventually, a nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent was administered to stop the hiccup-like response and allow MRI to be performed.

This case report describes the pathophysiology of hiccup-like response and its management in a dog.