Use of orally administered succimer (meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid) for treatment of lead poisoning in dogs.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether succimer (meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid) would be effective in reducing blood lead concentration in dogs with naturally acquired lead poisoning and whether treated dogs would develop clinically important adverse effects.

DESIGN:

Prospective case series.

ANIMALS:

13 dogs with moderate-to-high blood lead concentrations (39 to 120 micrograms/dl) and clinical signs of lead poisoning.

PROCEDURE:

Dogs were treated with succimer (10 mg/kg of body weight, PO, q 8 h) for 10 days. Blood and urine samples were analyzed for lead concentration before, during, and after treatment with succimer.

RESULTS:

Mean blood lead concentrations on days 0, 3, 7, and 20 were 70.6, 32.7, 16.8, and 27.6 micrograms/dl, respectively. Mean blood lead concentrations decreased 53.6, 76.2, and 60.9% from pretreatment value on days 3, 7, and 20, respectively. Mean urine lead concentrations on days 0, 3, 7, and 20 were 70.0, 485.4, 254.3, and 28.3 micrograms/dl, respectively.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS:

In dogs with naturally acquired lead poisoning, succimer administered orally for 10 days effectively reduced blood lead concentrations and eliminated clinical signs of lead poisoning.

• Authors: D T Ramsey, S W Casteel, A M Faggella, C B Chastain, J W Nunn, D J Schaeffer
• Journal: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (J Am Vet Med Assoc) Vol. 208 Issue 3 Pg. 371-5 (Feb 01 1996) ISSN: 0003-1488 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8575967 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Chelating Agents
• Lead
• Succimer

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Administration, Rectal
• Animals
• Chelating Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Dog Diseases (drug therapy)
• Dogs
• Female
• Lead (blood, urine)
• Lead Poisoning (drug therapy, veterinary)
• Male
• Prospective Studies
• Succimer (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)