Suspected succinylcholine poisoning in a German shepherd dog

Abstract

This report describes succinylcholine poisoning observed in a 4-year-old male, German shepherd dog. The dog was referred to Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Uludag University in Bursa, Turkey for necropsy and toxicological investigation in February of 2008. The dog has died after muscular contractions and salivation in short time. An automatic injector was found on the right distal abdominal of the dog before death. Examining appropriate historical and clinical signs, pathologic and histopathologic findings with the dog and discovery of succinylcholine in a drop residue found in the automatic injector supported a diagnosis of succinylcholine poisoning.