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Hypoglycemia associated with oleander toxicity in a dog
1Department of Internal Medicine, VCA All-Care Animal Referral Center, 18440 Amistad Street, Fountain Valley, CA, 92708, USA, caroline.page@vcahospitals.com.
Summary
Oleander poisoning in dogs can cause dangerous cardiac issues and hypoglycemia. This case highlights a dog with oleander toxicosis, presenting with both classical symptoms and low blood sugar, leading to a full recovery with supportive care.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Toxicology
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Oleander (Nerium oleander) poisoning is a well-known veterinary emergency, typically causing cardiac arrhythmias, hyperkalemia, and gastrointestinal distress.
- Experimental studies suggest oleander extracts possess hypoglycemic properties, but this effect has not been documented in canine oleander toxicosis.
Observation:
- A 7-year-old female Maltese presented with vomiting, cardiac arrhythmia, and mild hyperkalemia after ingesting oleander leaves.
- Serum analysis confirmed oleander toxicosis with a digoxin level of 0.7 ng/mL (0.9 nmol/L) 24 hours post-ingestion.
- The dog also exhibited significant hypoglycemia, a finding not previously reported in canine oleander poisoning.
Findings:
- Confirmed oleander toxicosis in a dog presenting with classical clinical signs and unexpected hypoglycemia.
- Successful treatment with aggressive supportive care resulted in complete recovery within 48 hours.
- The observed hypoglycemia supports experimental findings on the potential blood sugar-lowering effects of oleander.
Implications:
- This case expands the known clinical presentation of oleander toxicosis in dogs to include hypoglycemia.
- Highlights the importance of monitoring blood glucose levels in dogs with suspected oleander poisoning.
- Further research into the hypoglycemic mechanism of oleander in canines is warranted.
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