Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cats swallowing clindamycin capsules can get esophagus injury signs
By Beatty, Julia A et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2006·Faculty of Veterinary Science, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Suspected clindamycin-associated oesophageal injury in cats: five cases.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Five cats developed serious swallowing problems, including regurgitation and choking, after being given clindamycin, an antibiotic. These symptoms appeared 3 to 9 days after starting the medication, and a vet found signs of inflammation in the esophagus during examinations. In some cases, the inflammation led to narrowing of the esophagus, which can make swallowing even harder. The findings suggest that giving clindamycin without food or water can cause these issues, so it's important for pet owners to discuss proper dosing with their veterinarian to prevent this from happening.
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Abstract
The clinical findings, treatment and outcome of suspected clindamycin-associated oesophageal injury in five cats are reported. All cats were treated with one 75 mg clindamycin capsule twice daily (dose range 12-19 mg/kg). Capsules were administered without food or a water bolus. Dysphagia, regurgitation, choking or gagging were seen 3-9 days after starting clindamycin. On oesophagoscopy, three cats had oesophagitis, one of which progressed to stricture formation. Two cats had an oesophageal stricture at first presentation. This is the first report of suspected clindamycin-associated oesophageal injury in cats. It serves to further alert practitioners to the potential for drug-induced oesophageal disorders (DIOD) in cats treated with oral medications and to urge prevention by promoting a change in dosing practices.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16849039/