Retrospective evaluation of toxicosis from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants: 313 dogs (2005–2010)

Abstract

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.

Poisoning of dogs and cats by drugs intended for human use

“…Sertraline (25%) was the most frequent cause of poisoning, followed by fluoxetine (24%), citalopram (21%), escitalopram (19%), paroxetine (8%) and fluvoxamine (1%). Exposure to SSRIs resulted in no signs in 76% of cases; affected dogs developed neurological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory and thermoregulatory clinical signs; the median dose ingested by dogs that developed clinical signs was 7.1 mg/kg (Thomas et al, 2012). Four dogs developed 'serotonin syndrome', which is manifested as autonomic instability, altered mental status, seizures and an 'extrapyramidal syndrome', including muscle rigidity and hyperthermia (Thomas et al, 2012;Fitzgerald and Bronstein, 2013).…”

“…SSRIs work by inhibiting the presynaptic uptake of serotonin within the CNS (Stahl, 1998). In recent years, SSRIs have gained favour in human medicine over previously used anti-depressants, such as tricyclic anti-depressants because they have less significant side effects (Barbey and Roose, 1998;Anderson, 2000;Thomas et al, 2012). Table 4 contains a list of SSRIs most frequently involved in accidental pet poisoning.…”

“…Four dogs developed 'serotonin syndrome', which is manifested as autonomic instability, altered mental status, seizures and an 'extrapyramidal syndrome', including muscle rigidity and hyperthermia (Thomas et al, 2012;Fitzgerald and Bronstein, 2013). All the dogs survived to discharge (Thomas et al, 2012).…”

“…The Pet Poison Helpline, Bloomington, Minnesota, USA, recorded 313 calls regarding ingestion of SSRIs by dogs from February 2005 to August 2010 (Thomas et al, 2012). Sertraline (25%) was the most frequent cause of poisoning, followed by fluoxetine (24%), citalopram (21%), escitalopram (19%), paroxetine (8%) and fluvoxamine (1%).…”

“…Table 4 contains a list of SSRIs most frequently involved in accidental pet poisoning. The most common clinical signs in pets are hyperthermia, gastrointestinal and neurological signs (Thomas et al, 2012). Few reported cases of ingestion are symptomatic and no fatal cases have been recorded (Campbell and Chapman, 2000).…”