Chemistry 1152 Lab
Dr. Jerry Allison
Why is the Cat Sick?
Introduction:
Problem: The cat Jasper is a male cat that was given an over-the-counter analgesic which had caused him to keep getting sicker. He is one years old and weighs seven pounds, five ounces. His symptoms included vomiting and having diarrhea for several days. His lab tests showed a metabolic acidosis meaning there was too much acid in his body fluid. This meant Jasper could have been given acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen. To identify what analgesic Jasper was given we took samples of the different analgesics and crushed them. We used a melting point apparatus to find out what the melting point was and matched it with acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen. Then we used the Infrared Spectroscopy to determine the function group of the molecules to help us identify which analgesic was used. Between the symptoms, melting point, and results of the infrared spectroscopy we were able to identify what analgesic Jasper ingested.
Results:
After receiving all of the information and comparing the results of the symptoms, melting point, and infrared spectroscopy we concluded that they analgesic he was given was ibuprofen. His symptoms had matched the general symptoms of an ibuprofen overdose in cats. According to the Ibuprofen and Naproxen Toxicity article the common overdose symptoms included vomiting and diarrhea. Next we compared the melting point we received when we used the Electrothermal 9100. The melting point we collected was 75.6˚C. According to ChemBlink, the melting point for ibuprofen falls anywhere between 75˚C and 78˚C. This was the next step that helped us conclude our analgesic was ibuprofen. The last comparison we made was from our infrared spectroscopy we collected and the one Dr. Allison gave as a reference. The peaks of the graph were similar to the reference given. Attached is the graph we collected and printed.
Discussion: When we were
References: "Ibuprofen." CAS # 15687-27-1, Ibuprofen, Alpha-Methyl-4-(2-methylpropyl)benzeneacetic Acid, 2-(4-Isobutylphenyl)-propionic Acid, P-Isobutylhydratropic Acid. ChemBlink, n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2013. . "Ibuprofen and Naproxen Toxicity." Vetstreet. Marty Becker,M.D., 31 Aug. 2011. Web. 06 Mar. 2013. .