Affiliation:
1. Senior Information Scientist, Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), 2nd Floor, Godfree Court, 29-35 Long Lane, London SE1 4PL
Abstract
5-Fluorouracil is an antineoplastic drug with a narrow therapeutic window. Pets are commonly exposed to the cream used for pre-malignant and malignant skin lesions in humans. 5-Fluorouracil poisoning is characterised by severe gastrointestinal (vomiting; diarrhoea; and gastrointestinal ulceration and haemorrhage) and neurological effects (ataxia, tremors and convulsions), and from 4–7 days bone marrow depression. Progression of signs can be rapid and control of neurological effects can be refractory to treatment. There is no specific antidote suitable for companion animals with 5-fluorouracil toxicosis, and aggressive supportive management is required. Filgrastim (a human granulocyte colony stimulating factor) can be used in the management of severe bone marrow depression, but prognosis is generally poor in dogs and cats with pronounced signs from 5-fluorouracil poisoning.