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Anaphylactic Shock
Anaphylactic Shock in Horses
Introduction
Anaphylactic shock is where the immune system goes haywire when exposed to an antigen. An antigen is ANY substance that stimulates the immune system, in general foreign substances. Notice the emphasis on the word any this could be injected or consumed substances, insect stings, etc. Past history of exposure to an antigen safely does not rule out anaphalaxisis, in fact it makes it more likely. Before a reaction can occur, the immune system must first be sensitized.
Onset of the reaction is generally several minutes up to hours after exposure to the allergic substance. The haywire immune system starts releasing chemicals into the blood stream. These chemicals have wide-ranging effects on the blood vessels. The most serious effects are those that cause the blood pressure to drop rapidly and impair the horse's ability to breathe. This article discusses symptoms, treatment, and what to do with a horse that has been a pass reactor.
Symptoms
Different species, even different individuals within a specie react differently to anaphylaxis. In horses the most common symptoms are: hives, sweating, difficult breathing, irregular heart rate, severe edema, and colic. If the blood pressure drops low enough or breathing becomes ineffective the horse may collapse and die.
Procaine Penicillin Toxicity vs Anaphylaxis
Procaine penicillin can cause either anaphylaxis or procaine toxicity and they should not be confused. If the procaine penicillin gets into the bloodstream as it is being administered a remarkable toxic reaction occurs. It is characterized by excitement, uncoordinated circling, falling, and in severe cases coma and death. Unlike anaphalaxis, this reaction occurs as the drug is being administered or within seconds thereafter. The only thing to do is get out of the way. As long as there has not been too much put into the blood stream the horse will recover in several minutes. Anaphylactic reactions can occur to the penicillin also.
Why Does Anaphylaxsis Happen?
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