Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Alpha-chloralose poisoning signs and treatment in dogs and cats
By Segev, Gilad et al.·Published in Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)·2006·School of Veterinary Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Alpha-chloralose poisoning in dogs and cats: a retrospective study of 33 canine and 13 feline confirmed cases.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 33 dogs and 13 cats were treated for poisoning after ingesting a substance called alpha-chloralose, which is used as a rodent killer. Pets showed symptoms like seizures, muscle tremors, and in some cases, coma. Treatment focused on supportive care, with medications like diazepam and barbiturates used to control seizures. Most pets recovered after 1 to 3 days in the hospital, and the overall chance of survival was good, with only a small number not making it.
People also search for: dog seizure treatment · cat poisoning symptoms · alpha-chloralose effects on pets
Abstract
Alpha-chloralose (AC) is an anaesthetic compound also used as a rodenticide, and has dose-dependent central nervous system mixed effects of excitation and depression. The objectives of this study were to detail the clinical and clinicopathological characteristics, as well as the treatment and prognosis, of AC toxicosis in dogs and cats. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for AC poisoning between the years 1989 and 2004, and 33 dogs and 13 cats were included in the study. The most common clinical signs were seizures, muscle tremor, hyperaesthesia, hypothermia, salivation, myosis, stupor, coma and ataxia. Coma was more common, while salivation and ataxia were less common in cats compared to dogs. Although hypothermia was very common, especially in cats (90.9%), hyperthermia was frequently observed in dogs (21%). Treatment in all patients was supportive and symptomatic, and the most commonly used anticonvulsants were diazepam and barbiturates; however, severe unresponsive seizures in three dogs had to be controlled with inhalant gas anaesthesia. The hospitalisation period was 1-3 days, and the overall mortality rate was 6.5%. Alpha-chloralose poisoning seems to have a favourable prognosis in dogs and cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16772135/