ammonia gas

Question 1

what are the main gases for poisoning?

Answer 1

• Amoonium
• Hydrogen sulphide
• CO
• Smoke
• Methane
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

Question 2

characteristic of ammonia gas

Answer 2

highly water soluble, pungent smell, colourless, irriatting

Question 3

toxic doses of ammonia

Answer 3

up to 500ppm.

immediately dangerous to life or health

Question 4

route of exposure for ammonia

Answer 4

respiratory; ingestion and direct contact with eyes and skin

Question 5

MOA of ammonia gas

Answer 5

react with water in tissue –> form alkaline ammonium hydroxide.

• Very irritating
• Exothermic –> thermal injury

Question 6

consequences of ammonia through inhalation

Answer 6

burns respiratory system.

• upper tract - entire
• fluids in the tract further react with ammonia
• tissue damage –> liquefication necrosis –> penertrate into deeper tissues
• destruction of cilia and mucosa barrier to infection

Question 7

what causes airway obstructions as a result of ammonia irritation

Answer 7

secretions 
slough off epithelium 
cellular debris 
oedema 
reactive smooth muscle contraction

Question 8

Degree of exposure deciding the healing process. Compare the mild damage and severe damage by ammonia.

Answer 8

• Airway epithelium can regain barrier integrity after 6 hrs following exposure if basal cell layer remains intact (without severe damage)
• In chronic exposure, if basal epithelium is replaced by granular tissue  chronic lung disease may develop

Question 9

therapy of ammonia intoxication.

Answer 9

o No specific treatment
o Decontamination of the animal
o Move to aerated room – improve air movement in the room
o Supportive/ symptomatic therapy
o Protectent on mucosa membrane
o Washing or rinsing the animal with water