Abstract
Objective: In the autumn of 2018, the Board for the Authorisation of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb) announced that the registration of rodenticides based on anticoagulants will not be renewed for use by a lay-person in the Netherlands. As a consequence the use of rodenticides based on alphachloralose is
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increasing rapidly. Case series: Between December 2018 and October 2020, the Dutch Poisons Information Center (DPIC) received 15 information requests concerning 21 predominantly hypothermic, sedated cats experiencing CNS excitation who were found outside. In four cases, multiple cats (2 or 3) from different households were found in the same neighborhood and presented at the veterinary clinic within a few hours of one another. Symptoms consisted predominantly of signs of CNS excitation, often sensory-induced i.e., ataxia (n ¼ 4), tremors/cramps (n¼ 17), seizures (n ¼ 3), and CNS depression i.e., drowsiness (n ¼ 3), lethargy/stupor (n ¼ 3) and coma (n ¼ 13). Sixteen cats were hypothermic with a median body temperature of 36.0 C (n ¼ 8) with a minimum of 32 C. Miosis during CNS depression was noted in eleven cats and mydriasis (n ¼ 3) during CNS excitation. Two cats appeared (temporarily) blind during their recovery. Other reported symptoms were respiratory distress (n ¼ 3) and bradycardia (n ¼ 3). Blood analysis was generally unremarkable. After activated charcoal was given (n¼ 3), intravenous fluid therapy (n ¼ 14) was started and the cats were observed in a warm, quiet environment. Additional treatment was necessary in 12 cats; diazepam (n ¼ 6), midazolam (n ¼ 4) and propofol constant rate infusion (n ¼ 2) were used. All cats except one, survived and fully recovered; twelve cats within 24 hours and seven cats in 48-72 hours. Length of recovery was unknown in one. Conclusion: Suspected alphachloralose poisoning is characterized by CNS depression combined with often sensory-induced CNS excitation. Small animals are at greater risk of developing hypothermia. Recognition of this typical clinical picture by veterinarians is important, because with proper treatment full recovery is possible. Whether these cats were poisoned by alphachloralose containing bait or indirectly by eating alphachoralose-sedated mice is unknown. However, the DPIC did receive one information request (left out of this case series) concerning a cat developing symptoms within 15 minutes after it was seen eating a alphachloralose sedated mouse.
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