A study of the toxicity of imidocarb dipropionate in cattle

The toxic effects of imidocarb dipropionate (3,3'-bis[2-imidazolin-2-yl] carbanilide dipropionate) were studied in calves injected twice intramuscularly with 0, 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg dosages. Transient, dosage dependent signs of toxicosis consisted of excessive salivation, serous nasal discharge, diarrhoea and dyspnoea. Elevations in blood urea nitrogen concentrations and serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase activities were related to dosage and markedly increased at the high dosage. Renal hyperaemia, hepatomegaly, pulmonary congestion and oedema, hydrothorax, hydroperitoneum, hydropericardium and mortality occurred at the 20 mg/kg dosage. Microscopic lesions observed at the high dosage included acute severe renal tubular necrosis and focal hepatocellular necrosis. Injection site reactions varied from microscopic areas of necrotising myositis at the 5 mg/kg dosage to focal grossly visible areas of necrosis, encapsulated by granulation tissue and surrounded by fascial oedema at the 20 mg/kg dosage.