Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with sudden paralysis and tremors from anatoxin poisoning
By Puschner, Birgit et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2010·School of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Treatment and diagnosis of a dog with fulminant neurological deterioration due to anatoxin--a intoxication.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A Golden Retriever suddenly developed weakness in its back legs after swimming in a pond and ingesting algae. The dog showed signs of anxiety, drooling, and tremors, which worsened quickly, leading to severe muscle twitching and lying on its side. The veterinarian treated the dog with activated charcoal and fluids, but unfortunately, the dog's condition worsened, and it was euthanized two hours later. Tests confirmed the presence of a harmful toxin from the algae, highlighting the dangers of exposure to blue-green algae in water.
People also search for: dog weakness after swimming · Golden Retriever tremors · algae poisoning in dogs · dog drooling and weakness · dog euthanasia after toxin exposure
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical features, treatment, diagnostic work-up, and outcome of a dog with acute neurologic signs subsequent to algal toxin exposure. CASE SUMMARY: A Golden Retriever was presented for evaluation of acute onset of paraparesis after swimming in a man-made pond in early June and ingesting algae from a nearby bucket. The dog was anxious, had mild ptyalism, and when excited, developed generalized self-limiting tremors that progressed to generalized fasciculations and lateral recumbency. The dog was treated with activated charcoal and crystalloid fluids. Two hours after the presentation, the dog acutely decompensated and was ultimately euthanized. Gastric contents, bucket contents, pond water, bile, and urine were positive for anatoxin-a. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: Anatoxin-a intoxication is rarely confirmed in dogs but should be considered as a differential diagnosis in any dog with acute neurologic signs. We report the first successful detection of anatoxin-a in urine and bile of a dog exposed to blue green algae. This new test provides an enhanced diagnostic tool in suspect cases and has possible therapeutic implications in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20955303/