A descriptive study of ciguatera fish poisoning in Cook Islands dogs and cats: Treatment and outcome

Abstract

<jats:p>Background and Aim: Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is an illness caused by the ingestion of fish containing ciguatoxins. Dogs and cats are susceptible to CFP, but there is little published and much unknown about the condition in these species. This study aimed to document the treatment and outcome of canine and feline cases of CFP, and to look for prognostic indicators. Materials and Methods: Six years of medical records from the Esther Honey Foundation Animal Clinic (the only veterinary clinic in the Cook Islands during the study period) were reviewed to identify cases of CFP. Data relating to treatment and outcome were collected. Results: Two hundred and forty-six cases of CFP were identified, comprising 165 dogs and 81 cats. The treatments most commonly administered to cases were fluid therapy and muscle relaxants. Mannitol was only given to five animals. The survival rate was &gt;90% and almost all mortalities occurred in the first week of hospitalization. Recovery was slow, with hospitalization averaging 12.9 days. There was no significant difference in recovery times between dogs and cats. Prolonged periods of anorexia and recumbency were common in both species. Factors associated with prolonged recovery times included case severity, anorexia, and age (in dogs). Conclusion: This article documented the treatment and outcome of animals afflicted by CFP in the Cook Islands. Therapy for CFP was primarily symptomatic and supportive. The survival rate was high, but recovery was often prolonged. The findings will assist veterinarians in giving prognoses and managing owner expectations.</jats:p>

Local and Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Fish Poisoning in Fiji

“…Even if this reaction were possible, further studies would be needed to generate the conditions and parameters needed for accuracy, reproducibility, and precision. The other “bioassay” methods (e.g., exposure of fish to flies and feeding them to domestic animals such as dogs, cats and chickens) are rooted in common sense and reported in the literature [ 57 , 58 ]. However, using animals and even human adults in toxicity tests raises ethical questions.…”