Pancuronium

Pancuronium In Dogs & Cats: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• It hinders the effects of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction.
• It achieves inhibition by competitively binding to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.
• It binds to the postjunctional membrane to exert its inhibitory effect.

Uses of Pancuronium

• Provision of neuromuscular blockade during anaesthesia.
• This may be to improve surgical access through muscle relaxation, facilitate positive pressure ventilation, or for intraocular surgery.

Dose of Pancuronium in Dogs and Cats

Dogs, Cats

• 0.025–0.075 mg/kg i.v.; initially use a higher dose and repeat doses at increments of 0.01 mg/kg.
• Repeated doses may be cumulative and lead to difficulty in antagonism.

Side Effects of Pancuronium in Dogs and Cats

• No information is available.

Contraindications of Pancuronium in Dogs and Cats

• Do not administer unless the animal is adequately anaesthetized and facilities to provide positive pressure ventilation are available.

Some Notes:

• Neuromuscular blockade is more prolonged when pancuronium is given in combination with volatile anaesthetics, aminoglycosides, clindamycin and lincomycin.
• It exhibits a medium to long duration of action (>45 min), with individual variations.
• It can modestly stimulate the cardiovascular system, leading to increased heart rate via a vagolytic effect.
• Monitoring with a nerve stimulator and reversal of neuromuscular blockade are recommended for complete recovery before the end of anaesthesia.
• Hypothermia, acidosis, and hypokalemia can prolong the duration of action of neuromuscular blockade.
• Neostigmine is preferred over edrophonium as the reversal agent due to the potency and duration of action of pancuronium.