Salinomycin is polyether ionophoric antibiotic
Contamination of catfood in the Netherlands and Switzerland by salinomycin caused an outbreak of progressive paresis of the hindlimbs, forelimbs, and respiratory muscles (van der Lind-Sipman et al.). The onset of clinical signs was sudden, and the progression was often rapid. At necropsy there was a distal polyneuropathy affecting sensory and motor nerves. This outbreak occurred in 1996. http://www.research.teagasc.ie/grange/consultox.htm
van
der Linde-Sipman JS, van den Ingh TS, van nes JJ, Verhagen H, Kersten JG, Beynen AC,
Plekkringa R.Salinomycin-induced polyneuropathy in cats: morphologic and
epidemiologic data.Vet Pathol. 1999 Mar;36(2):152-6.PMID: 10098644 [PubMed
- indexed for MEDLINE]
In April 1996, an outbreak of toxic polyneuropathy in cats occurred in
the Netherlands. All cats had been fed one of two brands of dry cat food from one
manufacturer. Chemical analyses of these foods, stomach contents, and liver and kidney of
affected cats revealed contamination with the ionophor salinomycin. Epidemiologic and
clinical data were collected from 823 cats, or about 1% of the cats at risk. In 21
affected cats, postmortem examination was performed. The affected cats had acute onset of
lameness and paralysis of the hindlimbs followed by the forelimbs. Clinical and pathologic
examination indicated a distal polyneuropathy involving both the sensory and motor nerves.
Huyben
MW, Sol J, Counotte GH, Roumen MP, Borst GH. Salinomycin poisoning in veal
calves.Vet Rec. 2001 Aug 11;149(6):183-4. No abstract available.PMID:
11530905 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]