Perianesthetic Metabolic Acidosis is Associated with 2% Dorzolamide Eye Drops in Dogs That Underwent Ophthalmic Surgery: a Retrospective Study (2019–2022)

OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the administration of 2% dorzolamide ophthalmic solution in dogs undergoing ophthalmic surgery is associated with perianesthetic metabolic acidosis. ANIMALS 60 dogs, with or without dorzolamide administration, underwent arterial blood gas analysis immediately after anesthesia for ophthalmic surgery between 2019 and 2022; a total of 60 surgeries were evaluated. METHODS This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between the administration of 2% dorzolamide ophthalmic solution in dogs and the development of metabolic acidosis. Additionally, the influence of various potential risk factors, including age, body weight, sex, use of topical or systemic NSAIDs, and preoperative medications on the occurrence of metabolic acidosis, was evaluated. RESULTS A significant association was found between the use of 2% dorzolamide ophthalmic solution and perianesthetic metabolic acidosis (OR, 6.79; 95% CI, 2.00 to 23.02; P = .002). Furthermore, topical dorzolamide administration was significantly associated with both perianesthetic hypokalemia (OR, 3.52; 95% CI, 1.11 to 11.20; P = .033) and perianesthetic hyperchloremia (OR, 9.25; 95% CI, 1.71 to 50.01; P = .010). CLINICAL RELEVANCE The use of 2% dorzolamide ophthalmic solution is associated with perianesthetic metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia, and hyperchloremia in dogs. It is prudent to be aware of these risks, especially before anesthesia.