Toxicity of furazolidone to Nubian goats

Male Nubian goats were given furazlidone orally at daily doses of 40, 80, 160 and 320 mg/kg for up to 10 days. Animals given 160 and 320 mg/kg became anemic, and showed anorexia, hyperexcitability, uneasiness , backward walking, locomotory disturbances and circling. These animals died within 5 to 7 days of treatment. Postmortem examination showed mild congestion in brain, and fatty change in liver and kidneys. There was histopathological evidence of hepatic and renal damage, and some necrosis in brain and adrenals. Biochemical examination of serum confirmed the presence of hepatic and renal damage. Goats given furazolidone at daily doses of 40 and 80 mg/kg showed similar signs as above, but to a lesser degree. They were killed at the end of the experiment (10 days). The signs of furazolidone intoxication resembled those of cerebrocortical necrosis (thiamine deficiency in ruminants). Therefore, thiamine (100 mg/animal) was injected iv daily to goats receiving 320 mg furazolidone/kg. The vitamin ameliorated the severity of the drug toxicity.