Macadamia nut poisoning of dogs

Thirteen adult dogs of both sexes, various ages and at least five different breeds presented with sudden onset of various combinations of posterior paresis, recumbency and joint pain between six and 24 hours after earing between 0.7 and 4.9g/kg (mean 3.5g/kg) of kernels (raw or roasted) of Macadamia spp. trees. For a 20kg dog, this dose range represents about 5-40 whole kernels (kernel mean mass 2.5g). All dogs recovered uneventfully within 24 hours of onset. Anecdotal evidence of similar signs and outcomes were recorded for 11 dogs that ate Macadamia kernels during 1992-99, two of which were the subjects of multiple poisoning incidents.