title: Retrospective evaluation of toxicosis from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants: 313 dogs (2005-2010).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a clinical population of dogs exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant medications and describe the clinical findings, epidemiological characteristics, outcome, and prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study (February 1, 2005-August 31, 2010).
  
  
  METHODS
  Animal poison control helpline.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred thirteen dogs with presumed SSRI toxicosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dogs with presumptive SSRI medication toxicosis identified by a review of the electronic database of Pet Poison Helpline, an animal poison control center, were evaluated. No clinical signs were reported in 76.3% (239/313) of cases. The remaining 23.6% (74/313) of cases demonstrated the following clinical signs: neurological 79.7% (59/74), gastrointestinal 25.6% (19/74), cardiovascular 9.5% (7/74), respiratory 8.2% (6/74), and thermoregulatory 6.7% (5/74). Of the dogs exhibiting neurological signs, 62.7% (37/59) showed depression, 37.2% (22/59) showed hyperactivity, 10.1% (6/59) exhibited ataxia, and 1.7% (1/59) showed other miscellaneous signs (eg, hyperesthesia). There was a significant difference between the dose ingested by symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs for fluoxetine (P = 0.0039), but not with any other SSRI. Ninety-four patients were confirmed to have received veterinary care. In cases where duration of veterinary care was determined (55/313), 67.2% (37/55) of dogs were hospitalized and 32.7% (18/55) treated as outpatients. The average duration of hospitalization was 18.5 hours, excluding outpatient visits. Of those patients that had complete follow-up information available (136/313), overall survival was 100%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overall prognosis for animals with SSRI toxicosis is excellent with veterinary attention. Central nervous system depression was the most common clinical sign associated with SSRI toxicosis.
authors.affiliation: Section of Emergency and Critical Care, Angell Animal Medical Center, 350 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130, USA. dethomas@mspca.org
authors.forename: Danielle E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Justine A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Lynn R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Hovda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004285:Dogs; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011039:Poison Control Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors