Effects of lithium carbonate administration to healthy cats : a thesis /
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACT: The effects of lithium carbonate administration to healthy cats were evaluated in a controlled study to determine the potential of lithium as a feline bone marrow stimulant. Six cats were used in a dose response study (3 lithium-treated, 3 placebo-treated). The lithium-treated cats were given lithium carbonate orally at an initial dosage of 300 mg/m²/day for 28 days. The dose of lithium carbonate was increased by 150 mg/m²/day every 28 days until the lithium-treated cats showed signs of toxicity. Complete blood counts (CBCs) were performed weekly and serum lithium concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry 4 and 12 hours following drug administration biweekly. Eight cats were used in a second study (4 lithium-treated, 4 placebo-treated). Four cats were given lithium carbonate at an initial dosage of 600 mg/m²/day for 21 days. The dose was increased by 150 mg/m²/day every 21 days until toxicity occurred. CBCs were evaluated twice weekly, serum lithium concentrations 4 and 12 hours following drug administration were determined every 10 days, and a serum chemistry profile, urinalysis, and bone marrow aspirate and biopsy were performed every 21 days. Administration of lithium carbonate at doses that produced serum lithium concentrations exceeding 2 mEq/1 was associated with a significant decrease in numbers of circulating segmented neutrophils (P < 0.01) and lymphocytes (P < 0.0001) as well as a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in urine specific gravity. Significant increases were seen in plasma protein (P < 0.05), serum inorganic phosphorus (P < 0.05) and urine pH (P < 0.001). Bone marrow evaluation revealed an apparent maturation arrest of the neutrophil cell line. Serum lithium concentration was significantly (P < 0.0005) correlated with lithium carbonate dose. The relationship between lithium dose and urine specific gravity appeared to be linear while that between serum lithium concentration and neutrophil or lymphocyte number best fit a sigmoid inhibitory E[subscript MAX] model. Serum lithium half-life was estimated to be between 8 and 20 hours. Coincident with the changes in laboratory values, the lithium-treated cats became clinically ill. Initially, changes in behavior and voice were seen. Anorexia, vomiting and diarrhea developed next, and in the later stages of intoxication the cats became hyperexcitable and exhibited coarse muscle tremors. It was concluded that lithium carbonate has no potential value as a bone marrow stimulant in cats and is toxic to cats at serum concentrations exceeding 2 mEq/1. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Veterinary Medicine and Surgery." "Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science December 1990". Approved as to style and content by: George E. Lees, Scott A. Brown, Kenita S. Rogers, Marlyn Whitney, John R. August. |
| Physical Description: | ix, 49 leaves ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |