title: Retrospective case series of suspected intentional paraquat poisonings: diagnostic findings and risk factors for death.
abstract: We investigated a cluster of canine poisonings around the 4th of July weekend in 2003 in dogs that visited a local park. Medical records review and personal interviews were performed on 17 suspect cases; 14 dogs met the case definition criteria. The 13/14 dogs were allowed off-leash at some point during their visit to the park; 7 owners noted their dog had either eaten something at the park or vomited up meat-like material within 1 h after their walk. Eleven of the 14 dogs died or were euthanized. Urine samples from 4 dogs were positive for trace amounts of paraquat and 1 vomitus sample tested positive. Tachypnea was a significant risk factor for death of the dogs. Oral or gastrointestinal ulcers were significantly correlated with recovery.
authors.affiliation: Oregon Department of Health and Human Services, 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 772, Portland, Oregon 97232, USA.
authors.forename: Carrie M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Shuler
authors.forename: Emilio E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: DeBess
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006540:Herbicides / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D009922:Oregon / Q000453:epidemiology; D010269:Paraquat / Q000506:poisoning*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D006540:Herbicides; D010269:Paraquat