Cardiovascular effects and fatalities associated with intravenous administration of doxycycline to horses and ponies

Equine Vet J. 1992 Jan;24(1):41-5. doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1992.tb02777.x.

Abstract

Intravenous use of doxycycline in horses is associated with deleterious side effects on the cardiovascular system which may result in fatalities. At dosages and infusion rates used in these studies, supraventricular tachycardia, systemic arterial hypertension, clinical signs of discomfort, collapse and death were observed. Results of the present study suggest that the intravenous use of doxycycline should be avoided in horses.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Cardiovascular System / drug effects*
  • Doxycycline / administration & dosage
  • Doxycycline / adverse effects*
  • Electrocardiography / veterinary
  • Electrolytes / blood
  • Female
  • Heart / drug effects
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Horses / physiology*
  • Infusions, Intravenous / veterinary
  • Male
  • Muscles / drug effects
  • Respiration / drug effects

Substances

  • Electrolytes
  • Doxycycline