J Biomed Transl Res.  2022 Jun;23(2):35-42. 10.12729/jbtr.2022.23.2.35.

Anaphylactic reaction after subcutaneous vitamin K₁ injection in dogs: an experimental study and case report

• Yoon JY
• Lee D
• Yun T
• Koo Y
• Chae Y
• Kang JH
• Kang BT
• Yang MP
• Kim H

• KMID: 2534084
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12729/jbtr.2022.23.2.35

Abstract

Vitamin K₁ (VK₁ ) has been widely used as a coumarin antagonist and for the treatment of hemorrhagic disease in veterinary practice. However, the potential mechanism of adverse reaction after VK₁ injection has been not fully elucidated. In this study, two cases of anaphylactic reactions after subcutaneous VK₁ injection were presented, and then an experimental study was performed to further characterize the anaphylactic reactions. Two dogs developed anaphylactic reactions after subcutaneous VK₁ injections and were promptly treated with antihistamines and glucocorticoids, after which abnormal signs related to anaphylaxis disappeared. Subsequently, a study was undertaken to ascertain the nature of the adverse reactions to subcutaneous VK₁ injection. Six healthy laboratory beagle dogs received subcutaneous VK₁ administrations once daily for eight days. They were monitored for clinical signs after each injection, and blood samples were collected for the measurement of plasma histamine and immunoglobulin E concentrations using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All six dogs showed mild angioedema after the VK₁ injections. The dogs also displayed clinical signs including sneezing, coughing, skin reddening, excess salivation, pawing the ground, and somnolence on days 4, 6, and 8. Plasma histamine and immunoglobulin E concentra-tions were significantly increased by the repeated injections. In summary, this study describes anaphylactic reactions resulting from subcutaneous VK₁ administration in dogs. Clinicians should be aware that the repeated subcutaneous injection of VK₁ can trigger an anaphylactic reaction in dogs.

Keyword

drug eruptions; anaphylaxis; dogs; immunoglobulin E; vitamin K₁