Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Paralytic shellfish and palytoxin poisoning in dogs explained
By Bates, Nicola et al.·Published in The Veterinary record·2020·Veterinary Poisons Information Service, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Paralytic shellfish poisoning and palytoxin poisoning in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog experienced mild symptoms after eating crab on the beach, which was linked to paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). In a more severe case, another dog chewed on coral from an aquarium and showed serious signs like collapse, low body temperature, bloody diarrhea, and trouble breathing. Unfortunately, this dog had to be euthanized due to its rapid decline. Two other dogs had mild symptoms after suspected exposure to palytoxin but recovered quickly. There is no specific treatment for these types of poisonings, so it's important to keep pets away from potentially harmful marine life and aquarium materials.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fatal cases of exposure to paralytic shellfish toxins and palytoxins have occurred in companion animals but are poorly described. METHODS: We describe one case of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) and three cases of palytoxin poisoning in dogs. RESULTS: Mild PSP occurred following ingestion of crab while walking on a beach. Analysis confirmed the presence of paralytic shellfish toxins, particularly decarbamoyl saxitoxin, in clinical samples and marine organisms. This case occurred shortly after an outbreak of PSP in dogs on the eastern coast of England. Palytoxin poisoning occurred in a dog after it chewed coral removed from an aquarium. Signs included collapse, hypothermia, bloody diarrhoea and respiratory distress. The dog was euthanised due to rapid deterioration and poor prognosis. Palytoxin was not detected in a premortem blood sample. Two other dogs in a separate incident developed only mild signs (fever and respiratory distress) after suspected exposure to aerosolised palytoxin and recovered within a few hours. CONCLUSION: Cases of PSP are episodic and not common in dogs. Cases of palytoxin exposure are reportedly increasing in humans, and there is presumably also an increased risk to pets. There is no specific treatment for PSP or palytoxin poisoning.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32303665/