A retrospective evaluation of confirmed and suspected poisonings in 166 cats between 2016 and 2020

Research (Published online: 23-09-2023)

21. A retrospective evaluation of confirmed and suspected poisonings in 166 cats between 2016 and 2020

Carina Markert, Romy Monika Heilmann, Dschaniena Kiwitz, and René Dörfelt

Veterinary World, 16(9): 1940-1951

Carina Markert: Department for Small Animals, Tierklinik Hofheim, 65719 Hofheim am Taunus, Germany; Department for Small Animals, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.

Romy Monika Heilmann: Department for Small Animals, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.

Dschaniena Kiwitz: Department for Small Animals, Tierklinik Hofheim, 65719 Hofheim am Taunus, Germany.

René Dörfelt: Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany.

Background and Aim: Poisonings commonly bring cats and dogs to veterinary emergency facilities. This retrospective study aimed to analyze clinical signs, confirmed or suspected toxicants, treatments, and outcomes of feline poisoning cases presented over 5 years to the emergency service of a small animal referral center.

Materials and Methods: Medical records of 166 cats were evaluated for a history of confirmed or presumed poisoning, suspected toxicant, clinical signs, treatment, and outcome. Poisoning probability was determined using patient history, clinical findings, observation, toxicologic examination, and, in some cases, gastric contents.

Results: Most cats were hospitalized (94.0%) due to poisoning with mostly unknown toxicants (48.2%), rodenticides (21.1%), and various toxic plants (12.0%), followed by antiparasitics (6.0%), chemicals (6.0%), drugs (4.2%), tetrahydrocannabinol (1.2%), or inhaled smoke (1.2%). Patients presented predominantly with neurologic deficits (68.7%), reduced general condition (60.2%), and hypothermia (43.4%). The survival rate was 88.6%. Most cats (93.2%) showed no apparent complications at the time of discharge from the hospital. Toxicant-related complications (48.2%) included thermodysregulation (22.9%), central nervous system signs (18.7%), respiratory issues (7.2%), nephrotoxicity (6.0%), gastrointestinal complications (4.8%), evidence of hepatic failure (4.8%), and hemorrhage (1.8%).

Conclusion: In this study, the causative toxicant remained unidentified in many cases. Known poisonings were mostly caused by rodenticides. Neurological signs were the most common clinical presentation. Survival rates were high and comparable with those reported by others.