Clinical and pathologic findings of blue-green algae (Microcystis aeruginosa) intoxication in a dog.
A healthy dog developed signs of lethargy and vomiting after ingesting water from a tide pool containing blue-green algae. Fulminant hepatic failure occurred, and the dog was euthanized 52 hours later. At necropsy, the liver was large, friable, and discolored a dark red. Histopathology showed hepatocyte dissociation, degeneration, and necrosis. The alga was identified as Microcystis aeruginosa, a known hepatotoxin. The intraperitoneal administration of lyophilized cell material from the bloom caused hepatic necrosis in mice.
DeVries
S E
SE
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Department of Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.
Galey
F D
FD
Namikoshi
M
M
Woo
J C
JC
D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000506:poisoning*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D008387:Marine Toxins / Q000506:poisoning*; D051379:Mice; D046931:Microcystis; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000506:poisoning
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D008387:Marine Toxins; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic