Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cycad palm poisoning in 14 Texas dogs - signs and outcomes
By Clarke, Carolyn & Burney, Derek·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2017·From the Veterinary Emergency & Referral Group South, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cycad Palm Toxicosis in 14 Dogs from Texas.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Fourteen dogs in Texas were diagnosed with cycad palm poisoning after ingesting parts of the plant. Symptoms included severe liver damage, and unfortunately, nine of the dogs did not survive. The dogs that did survive still had elevated liver enzymes, indicating ongoing liver issues. Treatments included decontamination, but the toxins were absorbed quickly, making recovery challenging. This case highlights the dangers of cycad palms and the importance of immediate veterinary care if ingestion is suspected.
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Abstract
The goal of this study is to report clinical information, diagnostic findings, and treatment modalities; assess variables that may help distinguish survivors from nonsurvivors; and review the outcome of cycad palm toxicosis in dogs. Fourteen client-owned dogs with confirmed cycad palm ingestion were identified by reviewing the medical record database at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists. Information on signalment, time of ingestion to presentation, clinical signs, physical examination findings, initial and peak/nadir laboratory abnormalities, radiographic and ultrasonographic findings, treatment modalities, liver histopathology, and clinical outcome was retrieved. Of the 14 dogs, nine (64%) died as a direct result of cycad palm intoxication, and three survivors had persistently elevated liver enzymes, signifying residual liver damage. Despite decontamination, patients continued to display evidence of illness, indicating rapid absorption of toxins. When evaluating initial and peak/nadir laboratory values, nadir serum albumin levels and nadir platelet counts were significantly lower in nonsurvivors compared to survivors (1.25 g/dL [0.4-2.1 g/dL] versus 2.6 g/dL [1.7-3.4 g/dL] and 21 × 10[0-64 × 10] versus 62 × 10[6-144 × 10], respectively). In this cohort of dogs, the case fatality rate was higher than previously reported. Nadir serum albumin levels and nadir platelet counts may help distinguish potential survivors from nonsurvivors.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28291394/