Sleep aid toxicosis in dogs: 317 cases (2004-2010).
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the signalment, clinical signs observed, time to onset of clinical signs, duration of clinical signs, and the outcome in a large case series of nonbenzodiazepine sleep aid ingestions in dogs, including 2 sleep aids that have not been previously described in the veterinary literature.


METHODS
Retrospective study conducted between 2004 and 2010.


METHODS
An animal poison control center based out of Bloomington, MN.


METHODS
During this time frame, 453 cases were identified involving 467 dogs. Of these cases, 150 cases were excluded due to incomplete medical records, multipet households, or the inability to calculate a dose exposure. A total of 317 dogs with presumed sleep aid medication toxicosis were included.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
Records of dogs with sleep aid medication toxicosis identified by a review of an animal poison control center electronic database were evaluated. The most common sleep aid medications ingested were zolpidem (240/317 [75.7%]), eszopiclone (62/317 [19.5%]), and zaleplon (15/317 [4.7%]). Overall, clinical signs developed in 36% of patients (115/317), while 64% (202/317) remained asymptomatic. The most common organ systems affected and clinical signs seen involved the central nervous system (eg, agitation, sedation) and gastrointestinal tract (eg, anorexia, hypersalivation, vomiting).


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, the prognosis for dogs with sleep aid medication toxicosis was excellent, and no fatalities were reported in this clinical population. As significant clinical signs can still be seen with ingestion, appropriate decontamination is warranted in asymptomatic patients via emesis or gastric lavage, followed by activated charcoal administration. Symptomatic patients should be hospitalized for monitoring and supportive care for a minimum of 12 hours or until clinical signs resolve.
Section of Emergency and Critical Care, Angell Animal Medical Center, Boston, MA 02130, USA. alancaster@mscpa.org
Adam R
AR
Lancaster
Justine A
JA
Lee
Lynn R
LR
Hovda
Brian T
BT
Hardy
Lee X
LX
Miyahara
Elizabeth P
EP
Martin
Megan F
MF
Whelan
D000081:Acetamides / Q000506:poisoning; D000818:Animals; D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000506:poisoning; D015897:Comorbidity; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004285:Dogs; D000069582:Eszopiclone; D005260:Female; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010879:Piperazines; D011039:Poison Control Centers; D011379:Prognosis; D011725:Pyridines / Q000506:poisoning; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000506:poisoning; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D000077334:Zolpidem
D000081:Acetamides; D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010879:Piperazines; D011725:Pyridines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077334:Zolpidem; C085665:zaleplon; D000069582:Eszopiclone