CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS OF BLUE-GREEN-ALGAE (MICROCYSTIS-AERUGINOSA) INTOXICATION IN A DOG

A healthy dog developed signs of lethargy and vomiting after ingesting water from a tide pool containing blue-green algae. Fulminant hepatic failure occurred, and the dog was euthanized 52 hours later. At necro psy, the liver was large, friable, and discolored a dark red. Histopat hology showed hepatocyte dissociation, degeneration, and necrosis. The alp was identified as Microcystis aeruginosa, a known hepatotoxin. Th e intraperitoneal administration of lyophilized cell material from the bloom caused hepatic necrosis in mice.