5-Fluorouracil toxicosis in cats and dogs

摘要

5-Fluorouracil is an antineoplastic drug with a narrow therapeutic window. Pets are commonly exposed to the cream used for pre-malignant and malignant skin lesions in humans. 5-Fluorouracii poisoning is characterised by severe gastrointestinal (vomiting; diarrhoea; and gastrointestinal ulceration and haemorrhage) and neurological effects (ataxia, tremors and convulsions), and from 4-7 days bone marrow depression. Progression of signs can be rapid and control of neurological effects can be refractoryto treatment. There is no specific antidote suitable for companion animals with 5-fluorouracil toxicosis, and aggressive supportive management is required. Filgrastim (a human granulocyte colony stimulating factor) can be used in the management of severebone marrow depression, butprognosis is generally poor in dogs and cats with pronounced signs trom 5-tluorouracii poisoning.