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.
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Department of Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.
S E
SE
DeVries
F D
FD
Galey
M
M
Namikoshi
J C
JC
Woo
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