Of the 245 cases of exposure for which follow-up information was available, 12 (4.9%) did not show clinical signs. The most common clinical signs (eg, hypersalivation, tongue and oral ulceration, hyperthermia, inappetence, lethargy, vomiting) were attributed to GI irritation. Some cats (22.1%) experienced respiratory signs (eg, respiratory distress, tachypnea, dyspnea, wheezing), and others (2.9%) had dermal irritation. The mean time for onset of clinical signs to appear was 6.4 hours, with a range of 5 minutes to 48 hours. Treatments were supportive in nature and included antibiotic therapy, fluids, analgesia, gastroprotectants, dermal decontamination, steroids, and atropine (for hypersalivation).
Three cats, all with respiratory signs, died following BAC exposure; it is unclear whether the respiratory distress was a clinically significant contributor. Most cats exposed to BAC developed clinical symptoms, with most achieving complete recovery following supportive care, although recovery was sometimes prolonged and damage significant.
