Ornamental plant identification in stool sample of a puppy dog by its leaf epidermal characters

Abstract

In order to identify the plant species eaten by a puppy dog allegedly intoxicated, a stool sample containing vegetable remains from garden plants was microscopically analyzed. The sample contained plenty of epidermis fragments with isodiametric, polygonal and straight walled cells, without stomata. We also found many microscopical plant elements, from pet food previously supplied to the puppy. All plant fragments discovered were compared with reference collections. Thus, it was determined that the epidermis found in the sample could belong to twelve possible species. Besides, among the components of the balanced food we were able to recognize bran, typical Poaceae epidermis and parenquimatic tissue. By interviewing the animal owners and doing a survey of the garden, of the twelve possible plants that could intoxicate the dog, we only found Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis. In addition, the owners said that the puppy usually chewed the trunk and branches of this plant. We conclude that the plant species eaten by the puppy was Gardenia jazminoides J. Ellis. However, we do not claim that the symptoms of poisoning were caused by the ingestion of this plant because it is not reported as a toxic plant in the specialized bibliography.

Keywords: pet, stool sample, Gardenia jasminoides, microhistology.