Death of a South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) after the ingestion of toads--evaluation of toad poisoning by toxicological analysis.

Abstract

Animals in zoological gardens are at risk of severe and even lethal poisoning when they accidentally ingest toads. Here we report the case of an eleven month old male South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) which was found dead in its outdoor enclosure in the zoo of Dortmund, Germany. Autopsy revealed the presence of two adult, partly digested common toads (Bufo bufo) in the stomach. Toxicological analysis of the stomach content using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF MS) proved the presence of bufadienolides, the major cardiotoxic components of toad poisons. Using electrochemical luminescens immunoassay (ECLIA) compounds equivalent to digitoxin were detected in the blood sample confirming the absorption of toad poison components from the intestines into the circulation potentially leading to cardiac failure. In zoological gardens special precautions are necessary to protect non-native animals from encountering toads and the risk of poisoning, particularly in early spring, the spawning period of the toads.

• Authors: Stefan W Toennes, Martin Peters, Christine Osmann, Werner Pogoda, Dietrich Mebs
• Journal: Berliner und Munchener tierarztliche Wochenschrift (Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr) 2015 May-Jun Vol. 128 Issue 5-6 Pg. 252-6 ISSN: 0005-9366 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 26054232 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Bufanolides
• Cardiotoxins

Topics

• Animals
• Animals, Zoo
• Bufanolides (analysis, poisoning)
• Bufonidae
• Cardiotoxins (analysis, poisoning)
• Chromatography, Liquid
• Fur Seals
• Gastrointestinal Contents (chemistry)
• Germany
• Immunoassay
• Male
• Mass Spectrometry