Question of the Day

No treatment is necessary in this scenario. Bradycardia is a very common side effect of alpha-2 agonists in all species.

It is a reflex, a baroreceptor response to the initial hypertension that is caused by intense vasoconstriction. The hypertension causes a reflex increase in vagal tone, which slows the heart rate (HR).

In this case, the low HR should not automatically be treated, as this would further increase blood pressure (BP) and the workload of the heart. If the HR gets too slow or very dysrhythmic, or BP drops too low, it would be appropriate to reverse with atipamezole.