These plants form solitary or clustered bulbs and are strongly aromatic, with a characteristic odor when crushed. The Allium genus comprises biannual bulbous plants that grow in the north hemisphere except for a few species found in South America and Tropical Africa (5) ( Table 1).

Some botanical authorities have also previously included it in the lily family (Lilliaceae) (3, 4). However, in the new classification of Angiosperm Phylogeny Group, Alliaceae is now the subfamily Allioideae of the family Amaryllidaceae (2). The genus Allium includes onion, garlic, leek, chives, shallots, and scallions, and was previously classified in the family Alliaceae (1). Key words: Allium spp., poisonous plants, hemolytic anemia, Heinz bodies. The aim of this review is to analyze the clinicopathologic aspects and therapeutic approach of this serious toxicosis of dogs and cats in order to give knowledge to veterinarians about Allium species toxicosis, and subsequently allow them to correctly diagnose this disease when facing it and to educate pet owners to not feed their animals with Allium-containg food in order to better control this particular life-threatening toxicosis. Allium species toxicosis is reported worldwide in several animal species, and the toxic principles present in them causes the transformation of hemoglobin into methemoglobin, consequently resulting in hemolytic anemia with Heinz body formation. Feeding human foodstuff to pets may prove itself dangerous for their health, similarly to what is observed in Allium species toxicosis. Phone/fax: +55 14 3811 and cats are the animals that owners most frequently seek assistance for potential poisonings, and these species are frequently involved with toxicoses due to ingestion of poisonous food. IIDepartment of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Pathology Service, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazilīotucatu, São Paulo, SP, 18618-970, Brasil. IDepartment of Pathology, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil Salgado BS I Monteiro LN II Rocha NS I, II poisonous plants hemolytic anemia Heinz bodiesĪllium species poisoning in dogs and cats The aim of this review is to analyze the clinicopathologic aspects and therapeutic approach of this serious toxicosis of dogs and cats in order to give knowledge to veterinarians about Allium species toxicosis, and subsequently allow them to correctly diagnose this disease when facing it and to educate pet owners to not feed their animals with Allium-containg food in order to better control this particular life-threatening toxicosis.Īllium spp. Dogs and cats are the animals that owners most frequently seek assistance for potential poisonings, and these species are frequently involved with toxicoses due to ingestion of poisonous food.

Flamingo flower poisoning in dogs