EN
The authors analysed 134 cases of sudden deaths of dogs and cats diagnosed as poisonings on the basis of toxicological interviews and autopsies carried out in the years 2003-2012 at the Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Wroclaw. Most samples for toxicological tests came from local veterinarians (42%), and the other materials consisted of tests made after the autopsy at the Department of Pathology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine (33%), as well as tests ordered by government services (25%). Toxicological studies confirmed that poisonings occurred mainly in dogs, most of which had had contact with preparations containing bromadiolone (25 cases) and first generation coumarins, that is warfarin and coumatetralyl (13 cases). Some poisonings were caused by the consumption of carbamates and phosphorus organic compounds containing mainly organically combined nitrogen (37 cases). Sporadic poisonings with zinc phosphide and cyanides were connected with their use as a component of baits (7 cases). The results indicate which toxic substances are the most frequent causes of accidental or intentional poisonings of dogs and cats, and may guide clinicians in their choice of appropriate treatment. It seems necessary to create a national system of registration of animal poisonings.