Review article

https://doi.org/10.46419/vs.53.6.5

Forensic pathology in judging animal abuse - animal poisoning with metaldehyde

Željko Mihaljević ; Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
Šimun Naletilić ; Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
Stjepan Brzica ; Center for Forensic Research, Research and Expertise “Ivan Vučetić”, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Metaldehyde is the active ingredient in molluscicide that is used against snails. Poisoning of animals can be accidental or intentional. Metaldehyde poisoning is most often recorded in dogs. Clinical signs can develop within 10 minutes, mostly 1-3 hours after metaldehyde ingestion. There is no antidote for metaldehyde and therapy comes down to elimination of poison from organism and control of muscle tremor and convulsions. This paper presents our experiences in the forensic investigation of animal abuse by poisoning with metaldehyde (three dogs, one cat, and one hedgehog). Pathoanatomical and histopathological findings are shown. Reasonable suspicion of poisoning with metaldehyde is based on the finding of specific cyan-coloured gastrointestinal contents. The final diagnosis is made by toxicological evidence of metaldehyde in liver, kidney and gastric content of the poisoned animal.

Keywords

metaldehyde; molluscicide; poisoning; dog; forensic pathology

Hrčak ID:

272754

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/272754

Publication date:

16.1.2022.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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