Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
MRI and symptoms of bromethalin poisoning in three dogs
By Murthy, Vishal D et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2022·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Case Report: MRI, Clinical, and Pathological Correlates of Bromethalin Toxicosis in Three Dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three dogs were diagnosed with bromethalin poisoning after showing symptoms like weakness and coordination problems. A special blood test confirmed the presence of the toxin, and MRI scans revealed brain changes consistent with this type of poisoning. One of the dogs recovered, and follow-up MRI showed improvement in brain function, matching the dog's clinical recovery. Unfortunately, one dog did not survive, but the findings help veterinarians understand how to diagnose and treat bromethalin toxicosis more effectively in the future.
People also search for: dog weakness and coordination problems · bromethalin poisoning treatment · dog MRI brain scan results
Abstract
Bromethalin toxicosis is an increasingly common clinical presentation in dogs that may be fatal depending on the extent of intoxication. Antemortem diagnosis of bromethalin toxicosis was achieved in three dogs by demonstration of the active metabolite desmethylbromethalin in fat or serum. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were consistent with a diffuse leukoencephalopathy with restricted diffusion and prominent involvement of the corticospinal motor tracts on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted sequences. Imaging findings were confirmed in one non-surviving dog at necropsy. Resolution of MRI abnormalities was demonstrated in one surviving dog that was consistent with the associated resolution of clinical signs. Initial findings in these dogs support further investigation of specific MRI patterns in cases of leukoencephalopathy to aid differential diagnosis. While antemortem detection of bromethalin and its metabolites confirms exposure, quantitation may be informative as a prognostic biomarker.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35558887/