Use of orally administered succimer (meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid) for treatment of lead poisoning in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether succimer (meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid) would be effective in reducing blood lead concentration in dogs with naturally acquired lead poisoning and whether treated dogs would develop clinically important adverse effects.


METHODS
Prospective case series.


METHODS
13 dogs with moderate-to-high blood lead concentrations (39 to 120 micrograms/dl) and clinical signs of lead poisoning.


METHODS
Dogs were treated with succimer (10 mg/kg of body weight, PO, q 8 h) for 10 days. Blood and urine samples were analyzed for lead concentration before, during, and after treatment with succimer.


RESULTS
Mean blood lead concentrations on days 0, 3, 7, and 20 were 70.6, 32.7, 16.8, and 27.6 micrograms/dl, respectively. Mean blood lead concentrations decreased 53.6, 76.2, and 60.9% from pretreatment value on days 3, 7, and 20, respectively. Mean urine lead concentrations on days 0, 3, 7, and 20 were 70.0, 485.4, 254.3, and 28.3 micrograms/dl, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
In dogs with naturally acquired lead poisoning, succimer administered orally for 10 days effectively reduced blood lead concentrations and eliminated clinical signs of lead poisoning.
Ramsey
D T
DT
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211, USA.
Casteel
S W
SW
Faggella
A M
AM
Chastain
C B
CB
Nunn
J W
JW
Schaeffer
D J
DJ
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000285:Administration, Rectal; D000818:Animals; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D004113:Succimer / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002614:Chelating Agents; D007854:Lead; D004113:Succimer