Allium species poisoning in dogs and cats

Salgado BS (1), Monteiro LN (2), Rocha NS (1, 2)

(1) Department of Pathology, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil; (2) Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Pathology Service, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil.

Abstract: Dogs and cats are the animals that owners most frequently seek assistance for potential poisonings, and these species are frequently involved with toxicoses due to ingestion of poisonous food. Feeding human foodstuff to pets may prove itself dangerous for their health, similarly to what is observed in Allium species toxicosis. Allium species toxicosis is reported worldwide in several animal species, and the toxic principles present in them causes the transformation of hemoglobin into methemoglobin, consequently resulting in hemolytic anemia with Heinz body formation. The aim of this review is to analyze the clinicopathologic aspects and therapeutic approach of this serious toxicosis of dogs and cats in order to give knowledge to veterinarians about Allium species toxicosis, and subsequently allow them to correctly diagnose this disease when facing it; and to educate pet owners to not feed their animals with Allium-containg food in order to better control this particular life-threatening toxicosis.

Key words: Allium spp., poisonous plants, hemolytic anemia, Heinz bodies.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2011

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: June 11, 2010.

Accepted: October 26, 2010.

Abstract published online: November 5, 2010.

Full paper published online: February 28, 2011.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

There is no conflict.

CORRESPONDENCE TO

BRENO SOUZA SALGADO, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Jr., s/n, Botucatu, São Paulo, SP, 18618-970, Brasil. Phone/fax: +55 14 3811 6293. Email: brenosalgado@globo.com.