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Zolpidem poisoning in a cat
M Czopowicz1, O Szalus-Jordanow, T Frymus
1Division of Infectious Diseases and Veterinary Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland. mczopowicz@gmail.com
Abstract:
Zolpidem (Stilnox) is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic drug of the imidazopyridine class intended for treatment of insomnia in humans. A 16-year-old neutered cat, weighing 3.8 kg, was presented with sudden onset of stupor, disorientation, severe ataxia, vomiting and hypersalivation. Symptomatic treatment was given when ingestion of 1.25 mg/kg zolpidem (half of a 10-mg tablet) was confirmed, because no information on the efficacy and safety of the use of flumazenil in the treatment of zolpidem poisoning in cats has been published to date. As zolpidem is prescribed with increasing frequency in humans, the occurrence of accidental poisonings of pets is likely to increase.
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