title: Potential zinc phosphide rodenticide toxicosis in dogs: 362 cases (2004-2009).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate records of dogs exposed to zinc phosphide rodenticides and characterize the patient population, including breed, sex, age, body weight, time since exposure, development of clinical signs, clinical signs observed, treatments performed, veterinary care received, outcome, and overall prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  362 dogs with presumed zinc phosphide exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  An electronic computer database from an animal poison control center was searched to identify dogs that ingested zinc phosphide between November 2004 and July 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Accurate information regarding development of clinical signs was available in 94.5% (342/362) of cases. Over half the dogs (58.8% [201/342]) did not develop clinical signs, and specific clinical signs were reported for the remaining 41.2% (141/342) of dogs. There were 180 total clinical signs recorded for these 141 dogs, with some dogs having developed > 1 category of clinical signs. Clinical signs involving the gastrointestinal tract were the most commonly reported type of clinical sign (66.7% [n = 120/180 reported signs]), followed by generalized malaise (17.8% [32/180]), CNS signs (8.9% [16/180]), respiratory signs (3.3% [6/180]), and cardiovascular signs (1.7% [3/180]). Approximately 65% (234/362) of patients received veterinary care (including decontamination via induction of emesis, gastric lavage, or activated charcoal administration), and of these dogs, 51.3% (120/234) were hospitalized. For the 296 dogs for which survival data were available, the survival rate was 98.3% (291/296).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, the prognosis for zinc phosphide toxicosis was good. Zinc phosphide rodenticide toxicosis is a potential public health concern, and veterinary staff should be aware of this commonly used rodenticide.
authors: Section of Emergency and Critical Care, Department of Clinical Studies, Veterinary Medical Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA. grayx259@umn.edu
authors: Sarah L
authors: SL
authors: Gray
authors: Justine A
authors: JA
authors: Lee
authors: Lynn R
authors: LR
authors: Hovda
authors: Ahna G
authors: AG
authors: Brutlag
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010720:Phosphines / Q000633:toxicity*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012378:Rodenticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D010720:Phosphines; D012378:Rodenticides; D017967:Zinc Compounds; C009701:zinc phosphide