Abstract

This work studied the effects of experimental amitraz intoxication in cats. Sixteen cats were randomly divided equally into two groups: amitraz group - animals received 1.5% amitraz at 1mg/kg IV; and the control group - animals without amitraz. Physiological parameters from blood, cardiorespiratory system, and sedation indicators were quantified over time up to 360 minutes. Blood profile, urea, creatinine, alananine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were not affected by amitraz. Sedation, loss of reflexes, hypothermia, bradycardia, bradyarrhythmia, hypotension, bradypnea, mydriasis, besides transitory hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia and decrease of cortisol levels were observed in cats experimentally exposed to amitraz. The alpha2-adrenergic effects induced by amitraz intoxication in cats are very similar to the same effects reported in others species, contributing with more information about this type of intoxication to veterinary toxicology.

Highlights

  • Amitraz is an insecticide of the formamidine group, initially synthesized in England in 1969, that is used as an acaricide and tickicide in veterinary medicine (Andrade and Sakate, 2004).The mechanism of action of amitraz in arthropods occurs by the activation of octopaminergic receptors

  • Clinical signs occur due the D2-adrenergic effects induced by amitraz and include: sedation, loss of reflexes, lethargy and incoordination, bradycardia, bradyarrhythmia, hypotension, hypothermia, polyuria, transitory hyperglycemia, emesis, mydriasis and decrease of intestinal motility (Hsu, 1996; Andrade et al, 2004)

  • Its use is not recommended for cats by the manufacturer, it is an effective treatment of feline scabies and demodicosis (Cowan and Campbell, 1988; Scott et al, 1996) and is a very popular product, cheap and readily available, which could be an excellent alternative for acaricide treatment in this species (Andrade et al, 2004)

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Summary

Introduction

Amitraz is an insecticide of the formamidine group, initially synthesized in England in 1969, that is used as an acaricide and tickicide in veterinary medicine (Andrade and Sakate, 2004). The mechanism of action of amitraz in arthropods occurs by the activation of octopaminergic receptors. Clinical signs occur due the D2-adrenergic effects induced by amitraz and include: sedation, loss of reflexes, lethargy and incoordination, bradycardia, bradyarrhythmia, hypotension, hypothermia, polyuria, transitory hyperglycemia, emesis, mydriasis and decrease of intestinal motility (Hsu, 1996; Andrade et al, 2004). Few reports of amitraz intoxication are related to cats (Gunaratnam et al, 1983; Soli and Braseth, 1992; Andrade et al, 2004). The objectives of the present study were to investigate experimental amitraz intoxication and to analyze the D2-adrenergic effects induced by this acaricide in cats

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