Clinic, electrocardiography and laboratorial analysis of cats treated with levamisol

Abstract

The levamisole is an antihelminthic drug that has been used as an immunomodulator. However, there are some doubts regarding the dosage, administration route, side effects and toxicity of the drug in cats. In order to evaluate the effects of levamisole on clinical, laboratorial and electrocardiogram (ECG) of cats, nine animals were orally treated with three applications of levamisole in immunomodulatory dose (25 mg/per cat), in intervals of 48 hours. The animals were examined before treatment (control) and after 60, 180 and 360 minutes after administration of drug. Temperature, respiratory rate (f), heart rate (HR), systolic arterial pressure (SAP), and ECG were the parameters evaluated. Hemogram, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and g-glutamyltransferase (GGT), total serum protein, albumin and globulin were carried out in order to evaluate the hepatic function before and after the last levamisole application. Alterations of f, ALT, GGT and proteins were not observed. Temperature, HR and SAP increased significantly in different moments after treatment, however the values were inside of the physiologic range. It was observed a decrease of lymphocytes number after the levamisole administration. Sialorrhea and vomiting were observed in 33.3% and 11.1% of the animals, respectively. ECG revealed first and second degree atrium-ventricular blockade in 22.2% and atrial premature complexes was observed in 33.3% of the cats. In conclusion, levamisole given orally at 25 mg/per cat causes side effects and be used carefully.