Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Neostigmine treatment for severe ivermectin poisoning in cats
By Muhammad, Ghulam et al.·Published in Veterinary and human toxicology·2004·Faculty of Veterinary Science·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Use of neostigmine in massive ivermectin toxicity in cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old male cat was brought in after being given a massive overdose of ivermectin, a common parasite medication. The cat showed severe symptoms like excessive salivation, rapid breathing, and a racing heart. The veterinarian treated him with neostigmine (a medication that helps reverse the effects of certain toxins) and fluids, which initially helped, but he needed ongoing treatment for two days. Fortunately, after five days of care, the cat made a full recovery.
People also search for: cat ivermectin overdose treatment · neostigmine for cats · why is my cat salivating · cat breathing problems after medication · kitten ataxia treatment
Abstract
Over-the-counter availability of drugs in developing countries poses the risk of their abuse and overdosing in animals by the owners. This report describes ivermectin toxicosis and its treatment with neostigmine methylsulfate in 2 kittens and an adult cat that had been massively overdosed by their owners. Of two 4-w-old 300 g kittens, one was injected with 1.5 ml ivermectin (15 mg; corresponding to 250 times the recommended dose) by the owner and became comatose, started salivation and died after 2 1/2 h. The other kitten was treated with about 0.75 ml ivermectin (7.5 mg; corresponding to 125 times the recommended dose) by the same owner and developed ataxia and salivation after 2 h, went into coma the next morning and was presented for treatment with mydriasis, coma, slight fever (102.4 F), tachypnea (48/min) and severe tachycardia. This kitten was treated twice at a half hourly interval with neostigmine methylsulfate (25 microg) and 5% dextrose (20 ml) iv showed a transient improvement but died 12 h later. A 2-y-old, 4.5 kg male cat was treated s.c. with 1.5 ml ivermectin (15 mg; corresponding to 16.6 times the recommended dose) by its owner and developed slight salivation, lacrimation. mydriasis, protrusion of third eye-lid, tachypnea (42 breaths/min), tachycardia (128 beats/min) and ataxia. The patient was treated with neostigmine methylsulfate (150 microg) and 5% dextrose (100 ml) i.v., and 200 ml of Heartmann's solution i.v. Treatment was repeated after 6 h Follow up treatment over next 2 d was with daily i.v. administration of neostigmine and dextrose. The patient completely recovered 5 d after initiation of treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14748414/