Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Suspected poisoning cases in dogs and cats from vet clinics 2006-2010
By Allkämper, Svenja et al.·Published in Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe K, Kleintiere/Heimtiere·2018·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: [Cases of suspected poisoning in small animal practice - a retrospective and prospective survey].
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that about 1 in 200 dogs and 1 in 500 cats were brought to the vet for suspected poisoning, with dogs being the most affected. Common symptoms included bleeding and signs related to the nervous system. The most frequent toxins involved were coumarin derivatives, drugs, and chocolate. Treatment was mainly supportive, focusing on managing symptoms rather than targeting specific toxins, as the exact cause was often unknown. This highlights the importance of being cautious with potential poisons around pets.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Systematic survey of data from cases of suspected poisoning in small animal practices. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 11 exemplary selected small animal practices, patient files from cases of suspected poisoning over 2006/2007, data entry forms of poisonings 2009-2010 and the contact group, which are all patients with at least one visit in 2007, were analysed. RESULTS: In 2007, approximately 1 in 200 dog and 1 in 500 cat patients were presented with poisoning. More than 70 % of cases concerned dogs. Some breeds of hunting dogs were more frequently affected than expected from their percentage in the practice population. Suspicion of poisoning was retrospective mainly founded in neutered dogs. In addition to numerous unspecific symptoms, bleeding was frequently observed. With central nervous system symptoms or a critical general condition a founded suspicion was observed more frequently. In cases of unfounded suspicion, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract was mostly present. Other frequently seen diseases were infections, tumours and autoimmune diseases. The main toxins in the retrospective evaluation were coumarin derivatives (37 %), drugs (10 %) and chocolate (7 %). The prospective survey yielded a higher percentage of poisoning with drugs and plants. The diagnosis was mainly based on case history and clinical signs. Therapy was predominantly symptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Poisoning with coumarin derivatives is the most frequent intoxication in dogs, but also cats. The risk from permethrin for cats remains current. In daily practice, therapy is mostly symptomatic without any specific toxicological evidence. Consequently, the causative toxin is frequently unknown. Therefore, additional methods for elimination (stomach/rectal lavage, medical coal, lipid therapy) should be included as therapeutical options. For a successful systematic prospective survey in daily practice a good collaboration between practice and investigator is necessary.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29898476/