Pathologic changes and tissue gentamicin concentrations after intravenous gentamicin administration in clinically normal and endotoxemic cats.

Hematologic and serum biochemical values, tissue gentamicin concentrations, and renal pathologic changes were determined in clinically normal and endotoxemic cats given 3 mg of gentamicin/kg of body weight, IV. Endotoxemia was induced by IV administration of 0.5 microgram of Escherichia coli endotoxin/kg of body weight. In experiment 1, 6 cats were given endotoxin. After rectal temperature increased at least 1 degree C, cats were given gentamicin. Blood samples were collected before and at 1 and 3 hours after administration of gentamicin. With the exception of severe leukopenia, other hematologic changes or changes in serum biochemical values were not observed. In experiment 2, 24 cats were allotted to 4 groups and were given gentamicin, endotoxin, gentamicin plus endotoxin, or neither substance. Three hours later, cats were euthanatized, and tissue and body fluid specimens were obtained and were assayed for gentamicin concentration. Kidney specimens were examined microscopically. Endotoxemic cats had more gentamicin in the renal medulla than did control cats, but none of the cats had detectable renal lesions. The possible nephrotoxic synergism between gentamicin and severe endotoxemia and the lack of major differences in gentamicin concentration in extrarenal tissues indicated that the dosage of gentamicin in endotoxemic cats does not have to exceed the dosage recommended for clinically normal cats. A single dose of gentamicin administered IV did not cause renal damage in mildly endotoxemic cats, but nephrotoxicity ascribed to multiple doses of gentamicin in more severely endotoxemic cats needs to be evaluated.