title: Cycad Palm Toxicosis in 14 Dogs from Texas.
abstract: The goal of this study is to report clinical information, diagnostic findings, and treatment modalities; assess variables that may help distinguish survivors from nonsurvivors; and review the outcome of cycad palm toxicosis in dogs. Fourteen client-owned dogs with confirmed cycad palm ingestion were identified by reviewing the medical record database at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists. Information on signalment, time of ingestion to presentation, clinical signs, physical examination findings, initial and peak/nadir laboratory abnormalities, radiographic and ultrasonographic findings, treatment modalities, liver histopathology, and clinical outcome was retrieved. Of the 14 dogs, nine (64%) died as a direct result of cycad palm intoxication, and three survivors had persistently elevated liver enzymes, signifying residual liver damage. Despite decontamination, patients continued to display evidence of illness, indicating rapid absorption of toxins. When evaluating initial and peak/nadir laboratory values, nadir serum albumin levels and nadir platelet counts were significantly lower in nonsurvivors compared to survivors (1.25 g/dL [0.4-2.1 g/dL] versus 2.6 g/dL [1.7-3.4 g/dL] and 21 × 103[0-64 × 103] versus 62 × 103[6-144 × 103], respectively). In this cohort of dogs, the case fatality rate was higher than previously reported. Nadir serum albumin levels and nadir platelet counts may help distinguish potential survivors from nonsurvivors.
authors.affiliation: From the Veterinary Emergency & Referral Group South, Brooklyn, New York (C.C.); Veterinary Specialists of North Texas, Dallas, Texas (D.B.); and Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, Houston, Texas (D.B.).
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.affiliation: From the Veterinary Emergency & Referral Group South, Brooklyn, New York (C.C.); Veterinary Specialists of North Texas, Dallas, Texas (D.B.); and Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, Houston, Texas (D.B.).
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burney
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000662:veterinary; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077324:Crystalloid Solutions; D029784:Cycas / Q000633:toxicity*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D004285:Dogs; D004298:Dopamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D000077324:Crystalloid Solutions; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D004298:Dopamine