Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Seven dogs in Portland died from paraquat poisoning with gut and lung
By Cope, R B et al.·Published in Veterinary and human toxicology·2004·Department of Biomedical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Fatal paraquat poisoning in seven Portland, Oregon, dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Seven dogs in Portland, Oregon, became seriously ill after ingesting a toxic herbicide called paraquat. The dogs showed symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and breathing difficulties, which worsened over time. Unfortunately, all the dogs died due to the severe effects of the poisoning, which included kidney failure and respiratory issues. In some cases, traces of paraquat were found in their urine, helping veterinarians confirm the diagnosis. This incident highlights the dangers of herbicides and the importance of keeping pets away from toxic substances.
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Abstract
Paraquat is one of the few broad-spectrum herbicides available in the US; however, it is extremely toxic to companion animals when ingested. Despite its restricted use status, poisoning of dogs and cats remains relatively common. This clinical report documents a series of chronologically and geographically related cases of presumed malicious and fatal sub-acute paraquat poisoning in 7 dogs in Portland, OR. All animals developed acute gastrointestinal disturbance, renal compromise and insidiously progressive respiratory failure. Hyperlipasemia and moderate hypertension were notable featured in 5/7 cases. Trace levels of paraquat were demonstrated in the urine of 4/7 animals by gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Diagnosis in the remaining 3 cases was made through a combination of history or exposure, clinical signs and their progression, and pulmonary and renal histopathology.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15487649/