Diagnosis of poisoning by Brunfelsia australis in a dog in Uruguay

Abstract

The Brunfelsia genus belongs to the family Solanaceae and has several toxic species including Brunfelsia australis (commonly known as "paraguayan jasmine"). A case of canine poisoning due to ingestion of Brunfelsia australis is reported. A 9-year old female of cross bred dog was referred to the Veterinary Hospital with cough, respiratory distress, orthopneic position, tremors and convulsions. The dog died in status epilepticus after fourteen hours of the acute onset. The necropsy findings were: generalized congestion and hyperaemic mucous. Histopathological examination revealed generalized congestion of intestines, liver, stomach, lung, spleen and kidneys, liver necrosis and vacuolar degeneration and presence of polymorphonuclear infiltrate in intestinal basal mucosa. The plant that has remained in stomach contents was identified as Brunfelsia australis. The diagnosis of this poisoning was obtained by the epidemiological, clinical and pathological signs and agrees with those found in the literature.