Use of orally administered succimer (meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid) for treatment of lead poisoning in dogs.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether succimer (meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid) would be effective in reducing blood lead concentration in dogs with naturally acquired lead poisoning and whether treated dogs would develop clinically important adverse effects.

DESIGN

Prospective case series.

ANIMALS

13 dogs with moderate-to-high blood lead concentrations (39 to 120 micrograms/dl) and clinical signs of lead poisoning.

PROCEDURE

Dogs were treated with succimer (10 mg/kg of body weight, PO, q 8 h) for 10 days. Blood and urine samples were analyzed for lead concentration before, during, and after treatment with succimer.

RESULTS

Mean blood lead concentrations on days 0, 3, 7, and 20 were 70.6, 32.7, 16.8, and 27.6 micrograms/dl, respectively. Mean blood lead concentrations decreased 53.6, 76.2, and 60.9% from pretreatment value on days 3, 7, and 20, respectively. Mean urine lead concentrations on days 0, 3, 7, and 20 were 70.0, 485.4, 254.3, and 28.3 micrograms/dl, respectively.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

In dogs with naturally acquired lead poisoning, succimer administered orally for 10 days effectively reduced blood lead concentrations and eliminated clinical signs of lead poisoning.