5 – Management of the Poisoned Large Animal Flashcards
1
Q
Why is it important to think of the approach to large animal intoxication?
A
- In groups
- Potential exposure is greater
- UNKNOWN exposure
2
Q
When are the 3 times you may be called out?
A
- Animals are sick: under performing
- History of exposure: rare
- Owner suspects poisoning
3
Q
Treat it like any other case
A
- Presentation: hopefully have a case definition
- History: diet, water, medications, potential exposures
- Physical exams (or post mortems)
- Problem list
- Differentials
- Diagnostic testing
4
Q
Blindness: what could it be?
A
- Lead
- Thiamin
- Sulphates
- Vit A
- Bracken
5
Q
Zonal skin disease: what could it be?
A
- Liver toxins
- *almost always a plant
6
Q
Sudden death: what could it be?
A
- Blue green algae
- Salt poisoning
7
Q
Bleeding: what could it be?
A
- Sweet clover
8
Q
Extremity injury: what could it be?
A
- Ergot
9
Q
Respiratory disease: what could it be?
A
- 3-methyl indole
10
Q
Never be the first to say “toxin” w/o good evidence
A
- Potential of owner to blame others
- Sometimes owners just see $$
- *malnutrition is way more common
11
Q
2 components of diagnostic testing
A
- Physiologic diagnosis
- Response to treatment
12
Q
What is your approach for ‘solving’ the toxicity?
A
- Stabilize
- Prevent further exposure
- Decontamination
- Supportive care
- (antidote)
13
Q
Horses
A
- Usually individuals
- Sick: history, PE, differential list
- Known exposure
o What is it?
o How much?
o When?
o How much does the animal weigh? Dose per kg!!
o Are there any signs of illness?
14
Q
Livestock
A
- Usually multiple animals and minimal supervision
- Presentation: sick individual or herd outbreak
15
Q
Triage for livestock
A
- *complex decision making
o Severity, value of animals, cost of treatment, welfare considerations, public safety (food animals) - Euthanasia
o How? Disposal - Treatment
- Unaffected
o May need further testing
16
Q
Prevent further exposure
A
- Move animals
- Change water source
- Switch feed
- *may not be simple
17
Q
Decontaminate (don’t do it often)
A
- *might need serious PPE
- Wash
- Purgatives
o Stomach lavage
o Mineral oil
o Activated charcoal
o Change gut pH - *all unlikely to work
18
Q
Supportive care
A
- Simple food
- Fresh water
- NSAIDs
- Rest
- potentially: oral and IV fluids
- (antidotes: rare and consider quantity)
19
Q
Environmental samples
A
- Water
- Food: all types
- Supplements
- *zip lock bags and jam jars!
20
Q
Legal implications of sampling
A
- Is the sample representative
o Samples of convenience
o Understanding the sheer quantity
o History of deliveries
21
Q
Post mortems
A
- Pathology
- Need a good through PM
o Any signs of disease - Collect samples for histo
- Samples: frozen
o Kidney
o Liver
o Gut contents?
22
Q
Paperwork
A
- Potential for cases to involve legal actions
- Document everything
- Take photos
- Ask for advice
