Common causes of poisoning in dogs and cats in a Brazilian veterinary teaching hospital from 1998 to 2000

A retrospective study at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Sao Paulo city, Brazil. describes the pattern of poisoning that occurred from 1998 to 2000. During this period 5, 136 animals were sent to the emergency sector, and 250 of these cases were reported as poisonings: 203 dogs (81.2%) and 47 cats (18.8%). The common causes of poisoning in dogs were 28.9% therapeutic products (86.4% non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 6.8% other drugs, 3.4% antibiotics, 3.4% tranquilizing agents), 15.8% rodenticides. 13.9% pesticides for farm use (39.3% organophosphorous and 35.7% carbamate insecticides, 25.0% amitraz), 11.8% unknown agents. 8.4% plants, 6.8% industrial products, and 5.0% pesticides for domestic use. The common causes of poisoning in cats were 29.9% therapeutic products (50.0% non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 42.8% others, 7.2% antibiotics), 27.6% pesticides for farm use (46.1% carbamate insecticides, 38.5% organophosphorous insecticides, 15.4% others), 14.9% pesticides for domestic use, 12.8% unknown agents, 10.6% rodenticides, and 4,2% industrial products. These data show it is essential to create an awareness of the toxicity of these agents to reduce poisoning incidence.