1. As Brunfelsia toxicity has potentially life threatening effects, these cases require prompt veterinary care and aggressive treatment/supportive care.
  2. If your pet has ingested any part of Brunfelsia plant, contact your vet immediately and take your pet to the vet clinic.
  3. Your veterinarian may instruct you to induce vomiting, however, do not induce vomiting unless instructed to. This can be dangerous if your pet starts showing clinical signs.

OTHER NAMES

Yesterday, today, tomorrow; Kiss me quick; Morning, noon and night; Paraguay jasmine; Lady-of-the-night; Cuban raintree; Franciscan raintree.

TOXICITY

SEVERE

CLINICAL SIGNS

Clinical signs have been reported to appear 15-18 hours after ingestion.

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Lethargy
  • Abdominal pain
  • Fever (hyperthermia)
  • Coughing
  • Gagging
  • Gum irritation
  • Sneezing
  • Profuse urination
  • Hypersalivation/drooling
  • Uncoordinated gait (ataxia)
  • Abnormal eye movements (nystagmus)
  • Different sized pupils in both eyes (anisocoria)
  • Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
  • Central nervous system depression (depression, dullness, coma)
  • Muscle tremors
  • Convulsions
  • Seizures
  • Abnormal posturing/stance (Opisthotonus/Sawhorse stance)

EFFECTS OF TOXICITY

Brunfelsia plants contain tropane alkaloids, which can be fatally toxic. It is thought that these alkaloids are present in all parts of this plant but mostly in the berries, which are most toxic.

TREATMENT

Decontamination, supportive care and symptomatic treatments are the main components of Brunfelsia toxicity treatment as there is no antidote. Decontamination often requires gastric lavage to evacuate any remaining stomach contents and administration of activated charcoal to bind any more circulating toxin in the system.

Supportive care consists mainly of intravenous fluids, correction of any electrolyte imbalances and ensuring your pet is kept warm. Symptomatic treatment would involve muscle relaxants, anti-arrhythmics, anticonvulsants, pain relief and other drugs can be administered as necessary.

Your pet’s vital parameters should be monitored closely and your vet may request for some blood tests to be done as part of monitoring as well. Your pet may be hospitalised for a few days and complete recovery may take several days or weeks, depending on the severity of the case.

REFERENCES

Clipsham R (2012) Brunfelsiaaustralis(Yesterday, today and tomorrow tree) and Solanum poisoning in a dog. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. 48(2):139-144

Khan SA (2008) Brunfelsiaspecies: Beautiful but deadly. Veterinary Medicine. 103(3):138-143

Singh M, Cowan S & Child G (2008) Brunfelsiaspp (Yesterday, today, tomorrow) toxicity in four dogs. Australian Veterinary Journal. 86(6): 214-218