title: Liver failure in a dog following suspected ingestion of blue-green algae (Microcystis spp.): a case report and review of the toxin.
abstract: A 2.5 yr old spayed female Weimaraner presented after ingestion of blue-green algae (Microcystis spp.). One day prior to presentation, the patient was swimming at a local lake known to be contaminated with high levels of blue-green algae that was responsible for deaths of several other dogs the same summer. The patient presented 24 hr after exposure with vomiting, inappetence, weakness, and lethargy. Blood work at the time of admission was consistent with acute hepatic failure, characteristic findings of intoxication by Microcystis spp. Diagnosis was suspected by analyzing a water sample from the location where the patient was swimming. Supportive care including fluids, fresh frozen plasma, whole blood, vitamin K, B complex vitamins, S-adenosyl methionine, and Silybum marianum were started. The patient was discharged on supportive medications, and follow-up blood work showed continued improvement. Ingestion is typically fatal for most patients. This is the first canine to be reported in the literature to survive treatment after known exposure.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Health Center, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA. sebbaglionel@gmail.com
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sebbag
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Smee
authors.forename: Deon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van der Merwe
authors.forename: Dustin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schmid
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D060106:Lakes / Q000382:microbiology; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D052998:Microcystins / Q000633:toxicity*; D046931:Microcystis / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D052998:Microcystins; C078588:microcystin