Carbofuran poisoning in cats
McCoy, M.A.; Reilly, G.A.; O'Boyle, J.D.
Veterinary Record 134(10): 255-256
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 8197690 Document Number: 430762
In January 1994, 14 cat deaths in the north Belfast area of Northern Ireland were reported as occurring under suspicious circumstances; 7 cats were found dead. The other 7 cases became hyperexcitable, extremely vocal and were apparently in considerable abdominal pain. They began to retch and died within 10 min in convulsions or coma. One case had showed signs of apparent hindleg stiffness; it was presented within 20 min. When it was salivating profusely and had developed severe tonoclonic spasms. It began to vomit, pass loose faeces, within 30 min became dyspnoeic, cyanotic and comatose. It was humanely destroyed. Stomach contents were found to contain small blue/green, turquoise granules. The granules were analysed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and found to contain carbofuran, a carbamate pesticide. Carbamates resemble organophosphorus compounds, in that they are cholinesterase inhibitors. PM examination of this and 3 other cats suggested that some of the poisonings may have been malicious. Suspected cases should be treated with atropine (0.25 to 0.5 mg/kg, 25 per cent i.v. and the rest s.c.); pralidoxime which may exacerbate the clinical signs; should be avoided. This is the first recorded incident of carbofuran poisoning in companion animals in Ireland.