Tier 4 — mechanistic

Allium species poisoning in dogs and cats

Salgado BS, Monteiro LN, Rocha NS
Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 2011 17(1):4-11

Bibliography

DOI
10.1590/S1678-91992011000100002

Study snapshot

DesignNarrative review
ModelReview of Allium (onion/garlic) toxicosis clinicopathology and mechanism in dogs and cats
SampleNot applicable — narrative veterinary toxicology review.
InterventionNot applicable — literature review of onion and garlic toxicity in dogs and cats; fisetin not tested.
DurationNot applicable — review article; no original exposure or follow-up.
EndpointsClinical manifestations of Allium poisoning; Oxidative erythrocyte damage and Heinz-body hemolysis; Veterinary management and risk prevention

What the study showed, in plain terms

This review explains why onions and garlic are toxic to dogs and cats: organosulphur compounds in these plants (particularly n-propyl disulphide) damage red blood cells and cause a type of anaemia called Heinz body haemolytic anaemia. This mechanism is chemically unrelated to flavonoids such as fisetin, which are a completely different class of plant compound.

Key findings

Onion and garlic toxicity in dogs and cats is driven by organosulphur compounds causing oxidative red blood cell damage and Heinz body haemolytic anaemia — a mechanism specific to Allium species and unrelated to flavonoid chemistry. Does not test fisetin.

What this study can and cannot tell us

Narrative review of a different toxin class — used here only to clarify that fisetin's flavonoid chemistry is mechanistically distinct from allium toxicity, not as evidence about fisetin itself.

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Last verified

Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability