CNS Stimulants & Depressants Flashcards
What 3 methylxanthines commonly cause toxicosis?
- theobromine
- caffeine
- theophylline
What are the main sources of theobromine? In what species is toxicity most common? What causes most poisonings? Which ones are the most dangerous?
cocoa beans, chocolate, cocoa bean shells, mulch
dogs, especially during holidays (Easter, Halloween, Christmas)
- milk chocolate
- baking chocolate
When is theobromine toxicosis common in horses?
when cocoa bean hulls or waste are used as bedding
What are the main sources of caffeine? What causes the most poisoning?
coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks, human/veterinary medications
caffeine tablet ingestion in dogs
What are the main sources of theophylline?
tea and medications for asthma (aminophylline)
Why are dogs must susceptible to methylxanthine toxicosis? When is toxicosis seen in horses?
eating habits
illegal use of caffeine to hype race horses
What barriers is caffeine able to cross? How does metabolism occur?
BBB, placenta, mammary glands
occurs in the liver by microsomal enzymes, undergoing demethylation and phase II conjugation
What process does caffeine significantly undergo during metabolism?
enterohepatic recirculation - metabolites excreted in the bile are reconverted to methylxanthines in the intestine and reabsorbed
How does theobromine absorption compare to caffeine? Excretion?
absorbed much slower than caffein, reaching plasma peak levels in 10 hours
excreted slowly in dogs
What is the most relevant mechanism of toxicity of methylxanthines?
competitive antagonism of adenosine receptors, causing CNS and cardiac stimulation
What are 4 additional mechanisms of toxicity of methylxanthines?
- elevates intracellular calcium concentrations, which increases skeletal and cardiac muscle contractility and decreases calcium sequestration in SR and mitochondria by releasing it into cytosol
- inhibits phosphodiesterase to increase cAMP levels
- synthesizes and releases catecholamines (caffeine)
- antagonizes benzodiazepine receptors
What is the characteristic clinical sign of caffeine toxicosis in dogs? What are some other signs?
bouncing effect when standing dog is lifted a few inches off the floor and dropped
- agitation, hyperactivity, tremors, seizures
- abnormal behavior, panting, tachycardia
- weakness
- ataxia, clonic convulsions
- vomiting, diarrhea, diuresis, dehydration
- hypokalemia
- hypertension, cyanosis
- coma
What causes death in caffeine toxicosis?
cardiac arrhythmias or respiratory failure
What are the main clinical signs of theobromine toxicosis?
- CNS excitation with restlessness, tremors, seizures, ataxia, and hyperthermia
- panting, polyuria, polydipsia, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration
- cardiac arrhythmias
- weakness, coma, death from cardiac or respiratory failure
What are the main clinical signs of theophylline toxicosis?
- nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
- hypotension and cardiac arrhythmias
- muscle tremors, weakness
- agitation, seizures, hyperactivity, behavioral abnormalities
How is methylxanthine toxicosis disgnosed?
- history of exposure and clinical signs
- measurement of methylxanthines and their metabolite concentrations in stomach contents, plasma/serum, urine, or liver
There is no antidote for methylxanthine toxicosis. What are the 2 major ways to treat it?
- DECONTAMINATE: emesis with apomorphine or H2O2, gastric lavage, activated charcoal
- LIFE SUPPORT: relieve respiratory difficulties by maintaining airway patency and giving artificial respiration, IV fluids to maintain renal perfusion, increase excretion, and correct electrolyte imbalances
What are the main 3 symptoms of methylxanthine toxicosis treated?
- seizures/hyperactivity - Diazepam, Midazolam, Barbiturate
- tremors - Methocarbamol
- cardiac dysfunction - Atropine (bradycardia), Propranolol (tachyarrhythmias), Lidocaine (premature ventricular contractions)
Where is water hemlock (Cicuta) found? What species are most susceptible to toxicity? Why is it so significant?
swamps, marshes, streams, meadows, irrigation ditches
cattle and sheep
among the most violently toxic plants known
What are the 2 toxic principles of water hemlock (Cicuta)? Where are they most concentrated in the plant?
- cicutoxin
- cicutal
chambered rootstock and young shoots, but all parts are toxic
What is the mechanism of action of water hemlock (Cicuta)?
cicutoxin is a potent convulsant that antagonizes GABA
What course does water hemlock (Cicuta) toxicosis have? What are the most common clinical signs?
paracute violent course with intense muscular activity and sudden death
- salivation, urination, defecation
- muscular twitching and spasms
- vigorous chewing movements, teeth griding (tongues chewed off)
- ataxia, seizures that knock animal off its feet
- running fits
- coma and death from respiratory paralysis