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Cardiotoxic plant poisoning
Introduction
- Rare.
- Cause: ingestion of toxic plants.
- Signs: dysrhythmias and gastrointestinal signs.
- Diagnosis: history and signs.
- Treatment: control dysrhythmias and activated charcoal to prevent further absorption.
Presenting signs
- Usually acute following ingestion (4-12 hours).
- Depression.
- Gastrointestinal signs.
- Seizures.
Acute presentation
- Collapse and death.
Age predisposition
- Young animals.
Cost considerations
- Patients may require close monitoring and intensive care.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
Common plants include
- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) Foxglove (Digitalis pupurea).
- Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) - 3 cardiac glycosides of which convallotoxin is the most important.
- Spindle tree (Euonymus europaeus).
- Oleander (Nerium oleander) Oleander (Nerium oleander).
- Rhododendron Rhododendron species including azalea - contain grayanotoxins.
- Pierisspecies - contain grayanotoxins.
- White Bryony (Bryonia dioica).
- Bluebell (Endymion non-scripta).
- Solomon's seal (Polygonatum multiflorum).
- Hellebore (Helleborus species) Stinking hellebore (Helleborus foetidus).
- Privet (Ligustrum species) - especially in berries.
- Yew (Taxus baccata) Yew (Taxus baccata) - contain taxine alkaloids which cause a rapid, weak pulse.
- Monkshood, Wolf's bane (Aconitum napellum) is initially stimulatory then depressive causing a slow irregular pulse Monk's-hood (Aconitum napellus).
Timecourse
- Signs occur within 4-12 hours of ingestion and can last for 2-5 days.
- If lethal doses are absorbed, death occurs in 12-24 hours.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Gwaltney-Brant S M, Rumbeiha W K (2002) Newer antidotal therapies. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 32 (2), 323-339 PubMed.
Other sources of information
- Burrows G E & Tyrl R J (2013) Toxic plants of North America. 2nd edn. Ames, Iowa, John Wiley and Son.
- Cooper M R & Johnson A W (1998) Poisonous plants and fungi in Britain - animal and human poisoning. The Stationary Office. 2nd edn.
- Osweiler G, Hovda L R, Brutlag A G, Lee J A (eds) (2011) Blackwell's Five Minute Consult Clinical Companion. Small Animal Toxicology. Ames, Iowa, Wiley-Blackwell.
- Turner NJ & Szczawinski AF (1991) Common poisonous plants and mushrooms of North America. Timber Press.
Organisation(s)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control, telephone (888) 426-4435.
- Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS); www.vpisglobal.com, telephone + 44 (0) 2073 055 055.