Nimesulide-induced acute biliary tract injury and renal failure in a kitten: a case report

Abstract

ABSTRACT:A 3-month-old male kitten was presented to our clinic with malaise, vomiting and jaundice. In the anamnesis, we learned that the cat had a history of anorexia, sneezing, and nasal discharge and that the owner had administered 100 mg/day (t.i.d.) nimesulide orally for three days. In the laboratory study, high levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transtransferase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, urea, and creatinine were detected. All the clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities returned to normal levels after cessation of the nimesulide and supportive treatment. In this case, clinical and laboratory findings were thought to be compatible with nimesulide-induced acute biliary injury and renal failure. This case report indicates that the household pets are at risk of toxic drugs administered by their owners and great caution should be taken in administering NSAIDs in cats.

Epidemiological study (2006–2012) on the poisoning of small animals by human and veterinary drugs

“…Data related to dogs, in agreement with what was previously reported (Fitzgerald and others 2006), demonstrated a decrease in toxicity incidence due to acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) (Fig 7) in comparison to other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, nimesulide, diclofenac and naproxen (Fig 7) reported in other studies (Campbell and Chapman 2000, Borku and others 2008). Similarly data related to cats, unlike what was reported in previous studies that showed acetylsalicylic acid to be the main culprit (Giuliano Albo and Nebbia 2004, Barbier 2005, Berny and others 2010), included two poisoning incidents due to ibuprofen.…”

“…As regards NSAIDs for human use, several cases were reported of accidental ingestion by small animals (Giuliano Albo and Nebbia 2004, Barbier 2005, Fitzgerald and others 2006, Borku and others 2008, Monaghan and Sutton 2008, Berny and others 2010, Siroka and Svobodova 2013). As their use does not require a prescription, they are widely present in the domestic environment.…”

The toxicity and adverse effects of selected drugs in animals – overview

“…It has been reported to cause severe to fatal non dose-related hepatotoxicity in humans (Merlani et al 2001, Dastis et al 2007, Walker et al 2008. Biliary injury and renal failure after the administration of high doses of this substance were described also in a cat (Borku et al 2008). Diclofenac is approved for the use in horses.…”