A note on versions:The version presented here may differ from the published version or from the version of record. If you wish to cite this item you are advised to consult the publisher's version. Please see the repository url above for details on accessing the published version and note that access may require a subscription.For more information, please contact eprints@nottingham.ac.uk TITLE Alpha-chloralose poisoning in a cat SUMMARY A five-year-old domestic cat with acute unexplainable neurologic symptoms was presented for necropsy. Clinically, the cat showed an acute onset of ataxia, depressed mentation and continuous twitching/seizure activity in the morning after having been outside overnight. Despite immediate treatment, the cat progressed within twenty-four hours to a comatose state, opisthotonus and severe miosis unresponsive to light. Given a poor prognosis, euthanasia was elected. Gross findings were disappointing and consisted of a non-specific lung oedema and congested lungs and spleen. Surprisingly, within the stomach and intestines, fragments of cockshafers were found. Histologic examination confirmed the gross findings and additionally showed evidence of mild brain oedema, but failed to identify a cause for the severe clinical symptoms. In a final attempt to solve the case, a urine sample was tested for toxic substances and it was found to contain a significant amount of alphachloralose. This finding was unexpected.
BACKGROUNDThe cause of disease was unexpected in this case. Alpha-chloralose (AC) is used within and outside the UK to kill or immobilize pest animals. Cases of accidental AC poisoning in people are reported, whereas AC intoxication is only poorly described in pet animals. To the authors' knowledge, this report describes the first case of chloralose intoxication in a cat within the UK. Chloralose poisoning should be considered as differential diagnosis in cases with unexplainable neurological symptoms in animals and men.