International Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 3(5): 310-312, 2011
ISSN: 2041-2908
© Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2011
Submitted: July 20, 2011
Accepted: August 30, 2011
Published: October 15, 2011
Kid Goats are More Sensitive to Penicillin Overdose
1
1
A.A. Nikvand and 2H. Najafzadeh
Department of Animal Sciences, Ilam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ilam, Iran
2
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz,Iran
Abstract: Hipracilina suspension contains benzyl penicillin (200000I U), dihydrostreptomycin sulfate (250
mg), chlorpheniramine maleate (15 mg) and dexamethasone sodium phosphate (0.6 mg). This drug is used for
treatment infection in respiratory, urinary, reproductive, forelimb and hind limb systems in cattle, goats, sheep
and rabbits. Hipracilina is intramuscularly injected at dose 1 mL/10 kg body weight once or twice in day for
3 days. Hipracilina was clinically used at dose 1.5 mL/B.W in kid goats. The kids had 6 days age and 3kg
weight. These animals had diarrhea after high milk eating. One kids died after 15 min. Fourteen kids had signs
such as ataxia, depression, hind limb paralysis, hyperesthesia, mydriasis, decreasing of respiratory rate,
tachycardia and falling. Two kids died after 4 h. Supportive treatment was carried by ORS powder and
furosemide administration. The kids returned to normal state after 24 h. In another experimental study we
divided kids 3 groups which received A: benzyl penicillin, B: benzyl penicillin+dihydrostreptomycin, and C:
chlorpheniramine. Group A and B showed depression. Thus, Hipracilina can be toxic in kid goats at nearly 4-5
folds dose. It seems that this toxicity is related to penicillin compound.
Key words: Kid goats, overdose, penicillin, toxicity
present report seems to be first poisoning of kid goat with
Hipracilina.
INTRODUCTION
The combination of procaine penicillin G and
dihydrostreptomycin acts additive and in some cases
synergistic (Riviere and Papich, 2009). Procaine penicillin
G is a small-spectrum penicillin with a bactericidal action
against mainly Gram-positive bacteria lik Campylobacter,
Clostridium, Corynebacterium, ErysipelothrHaemophilus,
Listeria, Pasteurella, penicillinase negativ Staphylococcus
and Streptococcus sDihydrostreptomycin minoglycoside
with a bactericidal action against mainly Gram-negative
bacteria like E. coli, Klebsiella, Pasteurella, Salmonella
and Staphylococcus spp. Administration of therapeutic
dosages of penicillin G can result in hypersensitivity
reactions. Hipracilina suspension contains benzyl
penicillin (200000IU), dihydrostreptomycin sulf (250
mg), chlorpheniramine maleate (15 mg) and
dexamethasone sodium phosphate (0.6 mg). This drug is
used for treatment infection in respiratory, urinary,
reproductive, forelimb and hind limb systems in cattle,
goats, sheep and rabbits. Hipracilina is intramuscularly
injected at dose 1 mL/10 kg body weight once or twice in
day for 3 days. All drugs injected intramuscularly at
single dose.
We observed toxicity sings from high dose of
Hipracilina in kid goats and decided evaluate its
compounds in kid goat at experimental study. Thus,
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Hipracilina is intramuscularly injected at dose 1 mL/10 kg
body weight once or twice in day for 3 days. Hipracilina
was clinically used at dose 1.5 mL/B.W in kid goats. The
kids had 6 days age and 3 kg weight. These animals had
diarrhea after high milk eating.
In another experimental study we divided kids 3
groups. Group A had 2 days age and received benzatine
benzyl penicillin at dose 300000 IU (5 times more than
recommended dose). Group B had 5days age and received
procaine benzyl penicillin at dose 300000 IU (5 times
more than recommended dose) + dihydrostreptomycin at
dose 300 mg (5 times more than recommended dose).
Group C had 7 days age and received chlorpheniramine at
dose 25 mg (5 times more than recommended dose).
RESULTS
One kids died after 15 min poisoning with
Hipracilina. Fourteen kids had signs such as ataxia,
depression, hind limb paralysis, hyperesthesia, mydriasis,
decreasing of respiratory rate, tachycardia and falling
(Fig. 1). Two kids died after 4 h (Fig. 2). Supportive
Corresponding Author: A.A. Nikv, Department of Animal Sciences, Ilam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ilam, Iran
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Int. J. Anim. Veter. Adv., 3(5): 310-312, 2011
Fig. 1: Kid goats show depression (A), hind limb paralysis (B) and mydriasis (C) by penicillin overdose
Fig. 2: died kid goats from penicillin overdose
treatment was carried by ORS powder and furosemide
administration. The kids returned to normal state after
24 h. We did not any death in experimental study. Group
A and B showed depression in experimental study. It
seems the Hipracilina was probably administrated more
than 5 times of recommended dose in clinical cases.
Benzylpenicillin appears rapidly in the blood after
intramuscular injection, maximum concentrations being
reached in 20 to 30 min. The minimum effective serumpenicillin concentration is about 0.02 :g/mL for sensitive
organisms, but higher levels (0.03 to 0.06 :g/mL) are
required in the treatment of sub-acute bacterial
endocarditis or infections due to relatively less sensitive
organisms. The half-life of benzylpenicillin when given
intramuscularly is 30 min. However, very little passes into
the cerebrospinal fluids except when the meninges are
inflamed. Small amounts are excreted in the bile. It is
rapidly excreted by the renal tubules, causing a steep
decline in serum-penicillin concentrations; up to 60% of
a single intramuscular dose may appear in the urine within
1 h of administration and 95% within 4 h. In patients with
renal impairment, the serum half-life of penicillin may be
prolonged, but normal doses of benzylpenicillin can be
given except when there is severe impairment (Riviere
and Papich, 2009).
DISCUSSION
Penicillin is safe antibiotic in animals. But the age of
animals or penicillin overdose may cause toxic effects. At
very high doses of benzylpenicillin, convulsions and other
signs of toxicity to the central nervous system may occur.
This drug can inhibit GABA (an inhibitory
neurotransmitter) and cause excitement and seizures at
high dose (Riviere and Papich, 2009). Disturbances of
blood electrolytes may also follow the administration of
large doses and with prolonged high doses coagulation
disorders, neutropenia and other blood disorders may
occur. Procaine penicillin G can elicit excitatory response
(Washburn et al., 2009).
Goat metabolized medications differently than other
animals. Drugs clear faster in goats (Sierra et al., 2009).
Thus, goats require higher doses of drugs for effective
treatment (de la Concha-Bermejillo et al., 1998).
CONCLUSION
Hipracilina can be toxic in kid goats at nearly 4-5
folds dose. It seems that this toxicity is related to
penicillin compound.
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Int. J. Anim. Veter. Adv., 3(5): 310-312, 2011
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