Pyrogallol Toxicosis in Horses

Pyrogallol Toxicosis in Horses
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2023 Nov 1:S0749-0739(23)00067-6.
Author
Karyn Bischoff 1
Affiliation

1 Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center, PO Box 5786, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. Electronic address: KLB72@cornell.edu.

PMID: 37923643
DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2023.10.001

Abstract

Plants in the maple genus, Acer, and pistachio genus, Pistacia, have been reported to cause acute hemolysis in horses. The cause of hemolysis seems to be metabolism of gallic acids to the potent oxidant pyrogallol by enteric bacteria of the horse. Diagnosis is often tentative and circumstantial. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive and can include detoxification, fluid and electrolyte therapy, supplemental oxygen, and pain control. Corticosteroid and antioxidant therapies do not improve prognosis. Prognosis is guarded to poor but horses that survive 6 days postexposure are expected to recover.

Keywords: Acer rubrum; Anemia; Heinz body; Methemoglobinemia; Pistacia spp; Pyrogallol; Red maple.

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