Pyrogallol poisoning of pigeons caused by acorns

Green acorns are known to contain high concentrations of pyrogallol. Here, we describe an extended case report of two pigeons found dead with a filled muscular stomach of acorns. The following pathologic findings were observed: irritation of mucosal membranes in the gastrointestinal tract, blackish discolored chyme, hyperemic organs, and general edemas. The muscular stomach (ventriculus) was filled with pieces of acorns, and the abdominal cavity contained bloody aqueous fluid. In order to uncover the cause of death, we determined pyrogallol in liver and kidney of one dead pigeon and in ventriculus contents of both pigeons by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. A further aim of our study was to compare pathologic findings and pyrogallol concentrations in kidney, liver, and ventriculus of poisoned pigeons with those of healthy pigeons. The pyrogallol concentrations in samples of dead pigeons were 16-1200-fold higher than in control animals fed grass and maize-corn. Altogether, the acorn-filled ventriculus, the pathologic findings, the well nourished state, and the high pyrogallol concentrations in the dead pigeons suggest an acute pyrogallol poisoning by acorn. With respect to controls, we conclude that pyrogallol concentrations of 6 ng/g of kidney, 8 ng/g of liver, and 2 ng/g of gastric content do not affect the health of pigeons.