Among the systemic signs of toad venom (bufotoxin) poisoning in dogs, the cardiotoxic effects are one of the most important. Thus, the objective of this experiment was to evaluate potential changes in the cardiac muscle in dogs poisoned experimentally by toad venom and to observe the eletrolyte alterations which may occur in this condition. Twenty dogs divided into control group (n=5) and poisoned group (n=15) were utilized. The toad venom was extracted by manual compression of the paratoidic glands. After general anesthesia, dogs in the control group received placebo and dogs in the poisoned group received the venom by orogastric catheter. Samples for dosage were collected 6 hours and 24 hours after poisoning and 0, 2, 4, 6 and 12 hours after poisoning for electrolytes dosage. The Man-Withney test was used for statistical analysis (P<0.05). The poisoned dogs showed (saline) elevated levels of cardiac markers CK-MB and TnIc, confirming the cardiotoxic effect of the bufotoxin. Hypokalemia and hypocalcemia were also observed.
Toad venom poisoning; bufotoxin; cardiac markers; electrolyte; dogs
