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Tierarztl Prax Ausg K Kleintiere Heimtiere 2010; 38(05): 285-294
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1622862
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH

Canine status epilepticus due to acute intoxication[*]

Status epilepticus durch akute Intoxikationen beim Hund
R. Zimmermann
1   Section of Neurology, Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
,
T. A. Steinberg
1   Section of Neurology, Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
,
K. Raith
1   Section of Neurology, Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
,
V. Hülsmeyer
1   Section of Neurology, Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
,
A. Fischer
1   Section of Neurology, Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received:17 July 2009

Accepted after revision:09 June 2010

Publication Date:
05 January 2018 (online)

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Summary

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the type of toxin ingested, clinical presentation and outcome of dogs with status epilepticus (SE) due to acute poisoning presented to a large referral veterinary hospital. Materials and methods: Retrospective case series. Medical records of all dogs suffering from SE were reviewed (Jan 1, 2002 to April 30, 2009). Results: Fourteen dogs with SE due to acute intoxication were identified. Toxicological analyses (qualitative analysis with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry; n = 11) detected poisonings with carbofuran, crimidine, paraoxone, metaldehyde, strychnine and diazinon. In the other three cases the uptake of a known poison was observed (zink phosphide, metaldehyde). None of the dogs showed evidence of neurological disease up to the day of presentation. The dogs were hospitalised for 2–10 days (median 5 days). The survival rate was 85.7%. None of the dogs experienced any more seizures after discharge (median observation period 2.6 years). Conclusion and clinical relevance: Ancillary to the acute clinical presentation, preliminary reports (possible uptake of poisonous material) and an inconspicuous medical history may suggest a tentative diagnosis. Managed adequately, these patients can have a high survival rate. Clinicians should also keep uncommon intoxications in mind.

Zusammenfassung

Gegenstand und Ziel: Die vorliegende Arbeit evaluiert Toxintyp, klinisches Bild und Krankheitsverlauf von Hunden mit Status epilepticus (SE) aufgrund einer akuten Vergiftung, die an einer großen Überweisungsklinik vorgestellt wurden. Material und Methoden: Retrospektive Fallserie. Die medizinischen Akten aller Hunde mit SE wurden ausgewertet (1. Januar 2002 bis 30. April 2009). Ergebnisse: Es wurden 14 Hunde mit SE aufgrund einer akuten Vergiftung identifiziert. Die toxikologischen Analysen (qualitative Analyse mit Massenspektrometrie und Gaschromatographie; n = 11) ergaben Vergiftungen mit Carbofuran, Crimidin, Paraoxon, Metaldehyd, Strychnin und Diazinon. In den anderen drei Fällen wurde die Aufnahme eines bekannten Gifts beobachtet (Zinkphosphid, Metaldehyd). Alle Hunde waren bis zum Tag der Präsentation neurologisch unauffällig. Die Zeit des stationären Aufenthalts lag zwischen 2 und 10 Tagen (Median 5 Tage). Die Überlebens-rate betrug 85,7%. Keiner der überlebenden Hunde entwickelte nach Entlassung nochmals einen Anfall (medianer Beobachtungszeitraum 2,6 Jahre). Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Neben dem akuten klinischen Bild können der Vorbericht (mögliche Giftaufnahme) und eine bisher unauffällige Krankheitsgeschichte die Verdachtsdiagnose unterstützen. Bei adäquater Behandlung haben solche Patienten eine hohe Überlebensrate. Auch eher seltene Vergiftungen sollten differenzialdiagnostisch berücksichtigt werden.

Key words

Poisoning - case series - dog - epilepsy - organophosphates - carbamates - metaldehyde - crimidine - strychnine - zinc phosphide

Schlüsselwörter

Vergiftung - Hund - Epilepsie - Fallserie - Organophosphate - Carbamate - Metaldehyd - Crimidin - Strychnin - Zinkphosphid

* * Parts of these data were presented at the “16. Jahrestagung der Fachgruppe „Innere Medizin und Klinische Labordiagnostik“ der DVG“, 02 Feb.–03 Feb. 2008, Gießen, Germany, at the „17. Jahrestagung der Fachgruppe „Innere Medizin und Klinische Labordiagnostik“ der DVG“, 31 Jan.–01 Feb. 2009, Berlin, Germany and at the „55. Jahreskongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Kleintiermedizin“, 12 Nov.–15 Nov. 2009, Berlin, Germany.


 

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