Canine status epilepticus due to acute intoxication.

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.