Lithium Carbonate

Lithium carbonate In Dogs & Cats: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Stimulates bone marrow stem cells, causing an increase in the production of haemopoietic cell lines, particularly granulocytes.

Uses of Lithium carbonate

• Treatment of idiopathic aplastic anaemia.
• Treatment of cytotoxic drug-induced neutropenia or thrombocytopenia, oestrogen-induced bone marrow suppression and cyclic haemopoiesis.

Dose of Lithium carbonate in Dogs and Cats

Dogs:

• 10 mg/kg p.o. q12h give with food.

Cats:

• Do not use.

Side Effects of Lithium carbonate in Dogs and Cats

• Nausea.
• Diarrhoea.
• Muscle weakness.
• Fatigue.
• Polyuria.
• Polydipsia.
• Seizures.
• The release of T3 and T4 may be blocked by lithium; assess thyroid status every 6 months.
• Lithium is toxic to cats.

Contraindications of Lithium Carbonate in Dogs and Cats

• Avoid in patients with renal impairment (nephrotoxic at high doses), cardiac disease and conditions with sodium imbalance (e.g. hypoadrenocorticism).
• Only use in patients that show no signs of dehydration.
• Do not use it in cats.

Some Notes:

• The excretion of lithium may be reduced by ACE inhibitors, loop diuretics, NSAIDs and thiazides, thus increasing the risk of toxicity.
• Lithium toxicity is made worse by sodium depletion; avoid concurrent use with diuretics.
• The excretion of lithium may be increased by theophylline.
• Lithium antagonizes the effects of neostigmine and pyridostigmine.
• Neurotoxicity may occur if lithium is administered with diltiazem or verapamil.