Abstract
Background and Aim:Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is the most common form of seafood toxicosis reported in humans worldwide. Dogs and cats are also susceptible to CFP, but there is little published and much unknown about the condition in these species. This study aimed to document the demographics of canine and feline cases of CFP, to examine the temporal and spatial distribution of cases, and to compare the incidence of animal and human CFP in the Cook Islands.Materials and Methods:Six years of medical records from the Esther Honey Foundation Animal Clinic (the only veterinary clinic in the Cook Islands during the study period) were reviewed to identify cases of CFP. The study variables included the date of presentation, species, age, sex, neutering status, and village/locality.Results:A total of 246 cases of CFP were identified, comprising 165 dogs and 81 cats. The sexes were equally represented; however, within each sex, entire animals outnumbered those that had been desexed. Cases occurred year-round, with slightly higher numbers recorded in spring. Annual case numbers trended downward over the study period. Cases were documented in all regions of Rarotonga and also one outer island (Aitutaki). Fewer cases were seen in areas with a narrow (<200 m) fringing lagoon, compared with a wide (>400 m) lagoon.Conclusion:This study documented epidemiologic patterns of canine and feline CFP cases for the first time. Based on the results, further investigation is warranted to establish whether desexing has a protective effect against CFP.
Highlights
Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is a multisystem toxicosis that afflicts a number of species, including humans, dogs, and cats
Females accounted for 53.1% of CFP cases (n=43), males accounted for 39.5% (n=32), and the gender of 7.4% of cats was unspecified (n=6)
This article documented the demographics of animals afflicted by CFP in the Cook Islands and examined the temporal and spatial distribution of cases
Summary
Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is a multisystem toxicosis that afflicts a number of species, including humans, dogs, and cats. CFP is caused by the ingestion of fish containing ciguatoxins. Herbivorous fish become toxic after ingesting Gambierdiscus spp. Carnivorous fish become toxic after eating ciguatoxin containing herbivores [27]. Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is the most common form of seafood toxicosis reported in humans worldwide. Dogs and cats are susceptible to CFP, but there is little published and much unknown about the condition in these species. This study aimed to document the demographics of canine and feline cases of CFP, to examine the temporal and spatial distribution of cases, and to compare the incidence of animal and human CFP in the Cook Islands
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