Cyanide

Question 1

Cyanide aka _____ ____ or Hydrocyanic acid (HCN) – they all mean the same thing

Answer 1

Prussic acid

Question 2

What is one of the most rapid acting poisons to animals?

Answer 2

Cyanide (aka Prussic acid or hydrocyanic acid (HCH))

Question 3

Where is cyanide present?

Answer 3

In inorganic salts, a glycoside in certain plants, or free-living as HCN (Hydrocyanotic acid)

Question 4

Potassium cyanide = ___ ___

Answer 4

“suicide pill”

Question 5

some plants accumulate large amounts of cyanotic glycoside, which hydrolysis to ___

Answer 5

HCN

Question 6

Cyanide accumulates in ____ and ____ of plants

Answer 6

leaves and seeds

Question 7

Silage usually losses ____ of prussic acid content during the curing process

Answer 7

more than half

Question 8

Cyanide poisoning (Prussic acid poisoning) are caused by these sources—>

Answer 8

Plants of the Sorghum species, fruit like apricots, peaches, apple seeds, black cherry, elderberry, plums. Also flax, lima beans, white clover, and corns

Question 9

What does cyanide react with?

Answer 9

Ferrous iron

Question 10

Mode of action–>

Answer 10

Inhibition of cytochrome oxidase, causing cellular hypoxia

(do not confuse with HEPATOTOXIC mushrooms which MOA involves cyclopeptides block DNA synthesis and causing tissue necrosis…..)

Question 11

Higher levels of cyanide/prussic acid in these forms of plants:

Answer 11

wilted, short plants (closer to the ground), frozen plants, heavy nitrate fertilization esp. in Phosp. deficient soils

Question 12

We analyze these levels on a dry-weight bases (DM). What levels are considered hazardous? What levels are doubtful? What levels are considered safe?

Answer 12

Hazard: more than 750ppm
Doubtful: 500-750ppm
Considered safe: less than 500ppm

Question 13

Signs of cyanide poisoning:

Answer 13

Excessive salivation, tachy or dyspnea, usually within 30 mins of ingestion. Progression to severe dyspnea, weakness, staggering, convulsions/seizures, mm will be BRIGHT RED!!!

Question 14

CHERRY RED BLOOD THAT CLOTS SLOWLY AND RUMEN SMELLING LIKE “BITTER ALMONDS” =

Answer 14

CYANIDE TOXICITY

Question 15

Cyanide poisoning in sm an. is less severe and usually occur bc dried homemade treats. Causing vomiting, lethargy, and lotssss of drooling. T/F

Answer 15

True!!

Question 16

Tx of cyanide poisoning:

Answer 16

Sodium nitrate IV or sodium thiosulfate IV, repeat PRN and can alternate b/t the two fluid types.

Question 17

Cyanide testing- samples collected – >

Answer 17

forage and rumen contents, FREEZE THE LAB SAMPLES this will prevent hydrolysis. Can also do liver, blood, muscle tissue

Question 18

Picrate test:

Answer 18

Prussic acid strip for cyanide testing bright yellow if acid levels are high but won’t tell exact amounts

Question 19

Prevention for cyanide/Prussic acid poisoning:

Answer 19

Do not graze pasture grasses until it is 15-18 inches tall, young plants have higher levels. Do not feed frozen forages for more than five days.