Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fatal bromethalin poisoning in 3 cats and 2 dogs without brain lesions
By Romano, Megan C et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc·2018·Department of Veterinary Science·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Fatal bromethalin intoxication in 3 cats and 2 dogs with minimal or no histologic central nervous system spongiform change.
Plain-English summary
A cat and two dogs were brought in after showing signs of poisoning, likely from a rodenticide called bromethalin. Unfortunately, all three pets died, and a postmortem examination revealed that they had been exposed to the toxin, even though typical brain damage was not present. This case highlights that pets can suffer from bromethalin poisoning without the expected brain changes, so if you suspect your pet has ingested a rodenticide, it's crucial to seek veterinary help immediately. Testing for the toxin can confirm the diagnosis.
People also search for: cat rodenticide poisoning symptoms · dog bromethalin treatment · signs of poisoning in pets
Abstract
Use of the neurotoxic rodenticide bromethalin has steadily increased since 2011, resulting in an increased incidence of bromethalin intoxications in pets. Presumptive diagnosis of bromethalin toxicosis relies on history of possible rodenticide exposure coupled with compatible neurologic signs or sudden death, and postmortem examination findings that eliminate other causes of death. Diagnosis is confirmed by detecting the metabolite desmethylbromethalin (DMB) in tissues. In experimental models, spongiform change in white matter of the central nervous system (CNS) is the hallmark histologic feature of bromethalin poisoning. We describe fatal bromethalin intoxication in 3 cats and 2 dogs with equivocal or no CNS white matter spongiform change, illustrating that the lesions described in models can be absent in clinical cases of bromethalin intoxication. Cases with history and clinical signs compatible with bromethalin intoxication warrant tissue analysis for DMB even when CNS lesions are not evident.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29717638/