Which domestic species is most susceptible to organochlorine poisoning?

• A. Cats
• B. Dogs
• C. Horses
• D. Cattle

Answer: (A)

Organocchlorine pesticides are long-lasting, fat-loving toxins that persist in tissues and disrupt nerve signaling, leading to neuroexcitability and seizures.

Cats are the most susceptible because they carry a double hit: their liver detoxification for chlorinated hydrocarbons is limited, making it harder for them to clear these compounds, and their grooming behavior dramatically increases oral intake of residues from fur. This means a relatively small environmental exposure can translate into a higher internal dose in cats than in dogs, horses, or cattle, resulting in more pronounced neurologic symptoms at lower exposures.