The New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe
(NZVA) is urging animal owners to be on the lookout for
highly toxic karaka berries, as the tree’s fruiting season
intensifies between January and April.
While signs of
karaka toxicity have been recorded in humans, sheep, cattle,
chickens, and other species, dogs are especially sensitive
to the toxin in the orange berry, as they contain the
alkaloid, karakin. Consumption of the berries in dogs can
lead to respiratory failure, impaired neurological function,
and even death.
NZVA president Kate Hill said early
treatment is best, so if you think your pet has ingested
karaka berries, call your vet clinic immediately. “We are
already seeing trees absolutely laden with fruit in some
parts of the country,” she said. “While karaka berries are
an important food source for the kererū, they are
particularly dangerous to dogs at this time of year as the
berries ripen and fall from the trees.”
Signs of
karaka berry toxicity in dogs can be delayed up to 48 hours
following ingestion. Signs to be aware of in dogs
include:
– vomiting, diarrhoea, reduced appetite, and
abdominal pain,
– paralysis of hind limbs,
–
loss of balance,
– convulsions,
– reduction in
the dog’s breathing rate and eventually paralysis of
muscles used for breathing.
Preventing any ingestion
of the karaka berry is better than treatment. Dr Hill
advises pet owners to be aware of where karaka trees are
located; keep dogs on leads if walking in an area where
karaka trees are present; to know the signs of karaka berry
toxicity; and if there is concern an animal has ingested the
berries, seek emergency veterinary treatment. Even if
ingestion has occurred and there are no clinical signs
within one to four hours, dogs should be taken to a vet
clinic and made to vomit.
Advertisement – scroll to continue reading
The NZVA encourages the use
of signage in appropriate areas advising the general public
about the potential risks of karaka berries between January
and April.
Facts about karaka
berries
– The amount of karakin in the fruit varies
depending on the plant maturity, soil conditions, climate,
and season.
– The kernel contains the greatest
concentration and may remain toxic in the soil leading to
toxicity outside the fruiting window.
– Toxicity has
been recorded multiple times with the ingestion of a single
berry in various sizes of dogs.
– Karaka are also a
taonga for mana whenua. They are a beautiful native tree and
an important part of our history.
– They have been
used as a food source for hundreds of years when
prepared correctly to remove
toxins.
© Scoop Media
Advertisement – scroll to continue reading