Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Two dogs with breathing trouble and swollen bellies linked to avocado
By Buoro, I B et al.·Published in The Onderstepoort journal of veterinary research·1994·Department of Clinical Studies·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Putative avocado toxicity in two dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two dogs were brought to the veterinary hospital in Kenya because they were having trouble breathing and their bellies were getting bigger. They also had fluid buildup in their lungs and around their hearts. Both dogs had a history of eating avocados, which are known to be toxic to some animals. Tests showed signs of damage to their hearts, livers, and kidneys. Unfortunately, the dogs' condition was serious, and it highlighted the dangers of avocado consumption for pets.
People also search for: dog breathing problems · avocado toxicity in dogs · dog abdominal swelling · dog heart damage from food
Abstract
Two dogs were seen at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya, both having histories of dyspnoea, progressively enlarging abdomens, anasarca, ascites, pleural and pericardial effusion, and pulmonary oedema. One of the dogs had a mild neutrophilic leucocytosis, elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and proteinuria. Histopathological examination of the myocardium revealed some damage to myocytes and a mononuclear cellular infiltration involving the myocardium, liver and kidneys. The two dogs had a fondness for avocado fruits and, as the presenting syndrome is identical to that seen in goats, sheep and horses poisoned by avocados, a comparison is made and the probable manifestation of this poisoning presented.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7898892/