Plant poisoning in domestic animals: epidemiological data from an Italian survey (2000–2011)

Abstract

An Italian epidemiological study based on the human Poison Control Centre of Milan (Centro Antiveleni di Milano (CAV)) data related to domestic animal poisoning by exposure to plants, was carried out in collaboration with the Veterinary Toxicology Section of the University of Milan. It encompasses a 12-year period, from the beginning of 2000 to the end of 2011. Calls related to toxic plants accounted for 5.7 per cent of total inquiries (2150) received by CAV. The dog was the most commonly poisoned species (61.8 per cent of calls) followed by the cat (26 per cent). Little information was recorded for other species. Most exposures (73.8 per cent) resulted in mild to moderate clinical signs. The outcome was reported in only 53.7 per cent of cases, and fatal poisoning accounted for 10.6 per cent of these cases. Glycoside, alkaloid, oxalate, toxalbumin, saponin, terpene and terpenoid-containing plants were recorded and found to be responsible for intoxication. Cycas revoluta, Euphorbia pulcherrima, Hydrangea macrophylla, Nerium oleander, Rhododendron species and Prunus species were the plants most frequently involved. Epidemiological data from this Italian survey provide useful information on animal exposure to plants and confirm the importance of plants as causative agents of animal poisoning.

Systematic account of animal poisonings in Germany, 2012–2015

“…They were also the top cause of PC exposure inquiries involving cats and the third cause of inquiries involving dogs. Apart from Hedera species, the top five plant exposure inquiries to the PCs ( Prunus species, T baccata, Euphorbia species, Rhododendron species) have also been described in recent publications detailing plant poisonings in domestic animals in Europe and Italy (Caloni and others 2013, Cortionovis and Caloni 2013). Atypical myopathy due to suspected exposure to Acer species was an important finding regarding plant poisonings in horses.…”

A Toxic Hepatitis Caused the Kombucha Tea – Case Report

“…The glycoside, alkaloid, oxalate, tox-albumin, saponin, terpene and terpenoid containing plants were recorded and found to be responsible for intoxication in animals and humans. Epidemiological data from an Italian survey provide useful information on animal exposure to plants and confirm the importance of plants as causative agents of animal poisoning [10].…”

A Toxic Hepatitis Caused the Kombucha Tea – Case Report

“…Epidemiological data from an Italian survey provide useful information on animal exposure to plants and confirm the importance of plants as causative agents of animal poisoning [10].…”