Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
MRI and symptoms of bromethalin poisoning in three dogs
By Vishal D. Murthy et al.·Published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science·2022·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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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 severe neurological symptoms. The diagnosis was confirmed by detecting a harmful substance in their blood or fat, and MRI scans revealed brain damage typical of this type of poisoning. One of the dogs did not survive, but the other two showed improvement, with their MRI results returning to normal as their symptoms resolved. This case highlights the importance of recognizing the signs of bromethalin poisoning and using MRI to assess brain damage in affected dogs.
People also search for: dog bromethalin poisoning symptoms · dog MRI brain scan results · treatment for dog neurological issues
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 DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.879007