Veterinary Medicine - March 2008 - (Page 140)

Toxicology Brief PEER-REVIEWED quantity of ingested plant was known in four cases: One dog ingested two leaves, and three dogs ingested 15, 20, and 30 seeds, respectively.4 The Brunfelsia species involved in these cases were Brunfelsia calycina var. ﬂoribunda (n=19), Brunfelsia australis (n=7), Brunfelsia pauciﬂora (n=7), Brunfelsia americana (n=2), nonspeciﬁc Brunfelsia species (n=2), and Brunfelsia latifolia (n=1). Although most of the reported cases were from California (n=29), there were also cases from Texas (n=4), Oregon (n=3), Connecticut (n=1), and New Jersey (n=1). The gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system (CNS) were most commonly affected. The outcome of 19 dogs is known: Thirteen dogs recovered with supportive care, two dogs died, two dogs developed sequelae (occasional seizure episodes), one dog was euthanized, and one dog had a continuation of clinical signs (lethargy) at follow-up. BRUNFELSIA SPECIES TOXICOSIS CASES IN THE LITERATURE There are case reports of Brunfelsia species toxicosis in cattle, dogs, rats, and mice.1-3,5-7 Several of these cases were fatal, with nonspeciﬁc necropsy ﬁndings. Although only a few Brunfelsia species (B. calycina var. ﬂoribunda, B. pauciﬂora, B. australis, B. bonodora) have been implicated in animal poisoning cases, all species and all parts of the plant (ﬂowers, leaves, berries, and seeds) should be considered toxic to animals. Dogs appear to be particularly attracted to the berries and seeds. Four reports of Brunfelsia species toxicosis in dogs have been published—two in Australia5,6 and two in the United States. 2,7 In the two Australian cases, the clinical signs of toxicosis included signs of buccal and gastric irritation (salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea), TABLE 1 Clinical Signs Reported After Brunfelsia Species Ingestion in 42 Dogs* Clinical Sign Seizures Tremors/trembling Diarrhea Ataxia Vomiting Lethargy/depression Abdominal pain/ tense abdomen Facial twitching Hypothermia Retching Sneezing Tachypnea Vocalization Hyperthermia Number of Dogs 21 18 14 13 8 6 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 Percentage of Total (%) 50 43 33 31 19 14 10 7 7 7 7 7 7 5 muscle spasm and rigidity, opisthotonus, and coma. Nystagmus was also described in one case. In one case, the dog recovered in two days with supportive treatment. 5,6 In the ﬁrst U.S. case, a 6-year-old female Siberian husky was presented for evaluation with excessive salivation, coughing, gagging, dilated pupils, muscular contractions, horizontal nystagmus, and clonic-tonic convulsions after eating B. pauciﬂora seeds. Convulsions stopped on the ﬁfth day, and the dog completely recovered within three weeks. The dog was treated with activated charcoal, intravenous ﬂuids, anticonvulsants (pentobarbital or primidone), corticosteroids, and a topical ophthalmic ointment.7 In the second U.S. case, an 11week-old puppy was presented with acute-onset anxiety, persistent sneezing, vomiting, tremors, pyrexia, disorientation, ataxia, and seizures within two hours after exposure. The puppy died despite treatment with activated charcoal, diazepam, and prednisolone. The vomitus and stool contained several seeds of B. calycina var. ﬂoribunda. Necropsy ﬁndings in this puppy were unremarkable. 2 CLINICAL SIGNS The literature and the ASPCA APCC cases indicate that the onset of clinical signs of Brunfelsia species toxicosis in dogs may occur within two to several hours after exposure. Clinical signs may start with agitation, nervousness, or excitement followed by tremors, shaking, muscular rigidity, paddling, and tonic-clonic seizures. Table 1 lists clinical signs in dogs reported to the ASPCA APCC. The tonic-clonic seizures and other clinical signs such as muscular rigidity or the sawhorse stance may resemble the signs caused by strychnine poisoning. Clinical signs may last from a few *Source: AnTox Database, Urbana, Ill: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, 2001-2006. 140 March 2008 VETERINARY MEDICINE

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Veterinary Medicine - March 2008 Contents Toxicology Brief Idea Exchange A Challenging Case An Update on Diagnosing and Treating Primary Lung Tumors CE Form Product Preview Advertiser Index Marketplace/Classifieds Mind Over Miller

Veterinary Medicine - March 2008

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