Introduction

Ibuprofen intoxication causes gastrointestinal ulceration and kidney injury in dogs, but has not been described in cats.

Methods

Clinical data, treatment and outcome of ibuprofen intoxication in 10 cats from 2 veterinary clinics were retrospectively analyzed over a 5-year period.

Results

Ibuprofen ingestion was reported in 10 cats 40 minutes to 4 days before presentation. Cats were 2 months to 8 years old, weighing 0.8–5.3 kg. Cumulative ibuprofen dose ranged from 10–535 mg/kg, ingested as total dose or divided in up to 3 single doses. Clinical sings of intoxication were reduced mental status (8), anorexia (7), vomitus (3), hemorrhagic vomitus (1) and salivation (1).

Initial examination revealed hypothermia in 5, bradycardia in 2 and polypnea in 1 cat. Initial blood work showed azotemia (5), hyperkalemia (3), anemia (2) and hypoglycemia (1). All but one azotemic cat were younger than 1 year. Ultrasound of the kidneys showed enlarged kidneys and hyperechogenic renal cortex as well as poorly defined cortico-medullary border. Treatment consisted of fluid therapy (10), gastric decontamination (3), anti-emetics (4), gastric protectants (6), charcoal administration (3), glucose bolus (2), diuretics (1) and intravenous lipid therapy (2). One cat, receiving 0.25 ml/kg/min of a 20% lipid solution intravenously over 60 min developed severe stupor after lipid infusion over a time period of 18 hours. One cat was euthanized after initial treatment on owners request due to severe azotemia and hyperkalemia. Acute tubular necrosis was observed during the pathologic examination.

All other cats were hospitalized for 6 hours to 5 days. Creatinine in the 4 azotemic cats normalized within 4–5 days. All 9 hospitalized cats were discharged within 6 hours to 5 days.

Conclusion

Ibuprofen intoxication causes gastrointestinal signs and acute kidney injury in cats. With intensive treatment, clinical recovery can be reached within a few days even in azotemic cats.

Disclosures

No disclosures to report.