Suspected vinca alkaloid toxicosis in a 9‐week‐old dachshund puppy due to ingestion of periwinkle bush ( <i>Catharanthus</i> spp., formerly <i>Vinca</i> spp.)

Abstract A 9‐week‐old, female dachshund puppy presented to the University of Queensland, Small Animal Hospital with sudden‐onset ptyalism and paresis due to suspected ingestion of periwinkle bush ( Catharanthus spp.). Despite supportive intravenous, antiepileptic and antiemetic therapy, the patient developed rapidly progressing obtundation and convulsive seizures refractory to treatment, prompting elective euthanasia. Histopathological examination revealed numerous prometaphasic mitotic figures in the granule cell layer of the hippocampus, suggestive of metaphase arrest that is consistent with the pathogenetic mechanisms of vinca alkaloid toxicity.