Acetaminophen toxicosis in a cat.

A seven month old domestic shorthaired male cat was presented with a known history of acetaminophen ingestion. Clinical findings included icterus, depression, hypothermia, tachypnea and pronounced edema of the head and neck. Treatment was aimed at providing substrate to assist in conjugation of the drug and reversing methemoglobinemia. Administration of oral acetylcysteine, ascorbic acid and IV fluids was insufficient in this case due to a delay in initiation of treatment. The salient postmortem findings were icterus, subcutaneous and pulmonary edema and evidence of hemolysis in the liver, spleen and urinary tract.The pathophysiology of the toxicosis and the current recommendations for treatment are reviewed.