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Nitrite poisoning in cats and dogs fed a commercial pet food

Authors: Collett MG, Worth AJ, Brocklehurst PJ, Ainsworth SJ
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 45, Issue 5, pp 193-195, Oct 1997
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cat, Companion animal, Dog
Subject Terms: Diet/rations/food, Toxicology, Poisoning - plant, Nutrition/metabolism, Poisoning - chemical
Article class: Clinical Communication

Abstract: The death of three cats, from two separate households, was linked to toxic concentrations of sodium nitrite used as a preservative in a commercial pet food. Post-mortem examination of the three cats revealed a brownish discoloration of the blood suggestive of methaemoglobinaemia. Analysis of two samples of the pet food fed to the cats revealed a mean concentration of 2850 mg of total nitrite per kg of food (as fed). In a further incident, ataxia and weakness was noticed in two of four dogs after they were fed the same brand of pet food. One dog was successfully treated for methaemoglobinaemia with intravenous methylene blue.

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