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Retrospective evaluation of toxicosis from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants: 313 dogs (2005–2010)
Author(s) -
Thomas Danielle E.,
Lee Justine A.,
Hovda Lynn R.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of veterinary emergency and critical care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.886
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1476-4431
pISSN - 1479-3261
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-4431.2012.00805.x
Subject(s) - medicine , serotonin reuptake inhibitor , fluoxetine , retrospective cohort study , depression (economics) , antidepressant , population , reuptake inhibitor , ataxia , anesthesia , serotonin , psychiatry , receptor , macroeconomics , environmental health , hippocampus , economics
Objective To evaluate a clinical population of dogs exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ( SSRI ) antidepressant medications and describe the clinical findings, epidemiological characteristics, outcome, and prognosis. Design Retrospective study (February 1, 2005–August 31, 2010). Setting Animal poison control helpline. Animals Three hundred thirteen dogs with presumed SSRI toxicosis. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results Dogs with presumptive SSRI medication toxicosis identified by a review of the electronic database of Pet Poison Helpline, an animal poison control center, were evaluated. No clinical signs were reported in 76.3% (239/313) of cases. The remaining 23.6% (74/313) of cases demonstrated the following clinical signs: neurological 79.7% (59/74), gastrointestinal 25.6% (19/74), cardiovascular 9.5% (7/74), respiratory 8.2% (6/74), and thermoregulatory 6.7% (5/74). Of the dogs exhibiting neurological signs, 62.7% (37/59) showed depression, 37.2% (22/59) showed hyperactivity, 10.1% (6/59) exhibited ataxia, and 1.7% (1/59) showed other miscellaneous signs (eg, hyperesthesia). There was a significant difference between the dose ingested by symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs for fluoxetine ( P = 0.0039), but not with any other SSRI . Ninety‐four patients were confirmed to have received veterinary care. In cases where duration of veterinary care was determined (55/313), 67.2% (37/55) of dogs were hospitalized and 32.7% (18/55) treated as outpatients. The average duration of hospitalization was 18.5 hours, excluding outpatient visits. Of those patients that had complete follow‐up information available (136/313), overall survival was 100%. Conclusions The overall prognosis for animals with SSRI toxicosis is excellent with veterinary attention. Central nervous system depression was the most common clinical sign associated with SSRI toxicosis.