Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat restless and trembling after accidental methylphenidate overdose
By Gustafson, B W·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1996·Big Horn Animal Clinic, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Methylphenidate toxicosis in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old cat was brought in after showing signs of restlessness, vocalizing, and circling behavior 13 hours after accidentally swallowing a 5-mg tablet of a stimulant medication. The veterinarian found that the cat had tremors, was agitated, and had an increased heart rate and breathing rate, indicating it was overstimulated. To help the cat recover, it was kept in a quiet, dark space and given fluids and diazepam, a calming medication. Fortunately, the cat's symptoms improved and resolved within about 25 hours after the ingestion.
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Abstract
A 10-year-old cat with restlessness, vocalizing, and circling was examined 13 hours after it was inadvertently given a 5-mg tablet of the CNS stimulant methylphenidate hydrochloride. Physical examination findings (generalized tremors, agitation, mydriasis, tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypertension) were consistent with overstimulation of the CNS and excessive adrenergic activity resulting from methylphenidate toxicosis. Plasma methylphenidate concentration at admission (83 ng/ml) was 5 to 16 times greater than the concentration reported to provide therapeutic effect in human beings. The cat was placed in a dark, padded cage to minimize external stimuli, and supportive care consisting of fluids and diazepam were administered. Clinical signs resolved within 25 hours after ingestion of methylphenidate.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8621317/