Diagnostic Toxicology Flashcards
T/F: Most poisoning cases will result in a definitive diagnosis
FALSE
many will just be treated symptomatically since many dx are needed to confirm poison
What is the most important aspect of dealing with a toxicosis?
Accurate or confirmed diagnosis
*but it doesn’t happen often :(
Through what methods do you come up with a tentative poisoning diagnosis?
Detailed case history + clinical and postmortem examinations
How does one come up with a presumptive diagnosis? Is this the same as a tentative diagnosis?
Presumptive dx means that there is more evidence than you had with a Tentative dx
Can be reached when: the hx and clinical signs are supported by circumstantial evidence and ID of the source of poisoning
Ex: having a negative atropine test for organophosphate poisoning
What are the 5 main criteria of a toxicosis diagnosis?
Case history clinical signs Postmortem findings Laboratory diagnosis Laboratory animal tests
What kind of history/information should be collected when you’re dealing with toxicosis of a farm animal?
# of animals affected # of animals dead Course of dz Type of management: feeding, vax etc Use of herbicides/pesticides Past illnesses presence of toxic plants on premises etc
What kind of hx/information should be collected if you’re dealing with the toxicosis of a companion animal?
Indoor/outdoor animal?
Use of any drugs or insecticides, rodenticies, household chemicals, vaccination hx etc
T/F: Most diseases have pathognomonic clinical signs
FALSE
T/F: In the PM examination - negative results are as good as positive results
TRUE
Chemical analysis should be done by what type of laboratory?
Qualified toxicology lab
What does the accuracy of chemical testing results depend on?
Good sampling
Specimens should be representing, avoiding dilution, contamination, or putrefaction
T/F: Positive results will always mean intoxification
FALSE
*negative results do not always mean that poisoning did not occur either
Specimens submitted for chemical analysis will be evaluated for toxicants both _____ and _________
Qualitatively and quantitatively
How should animal tissue specimens be prepared for chemical analysis?
Should be taken free of chemical contamination or debris
Specimens should not be washed
Should be frozen and packed separately (don’t mix different organ samples etc)
Where should blood samples be stored before being sent off for chemical analysis?
refrigerated
other body fluids should be frozen
*containers should be air tight sealed - waterproof ink should be used for labeling (owners name, patient name, tissue specimens etc)
T/F: Preservatives should be used for tissue samples being sent out for chemical analysis
FALSE
Preservatives should only be used for samples that are being sent in for HISTOPATH examination - need to have that on the label
How much serum, blood, urine, vomitus, and tissue should be sent in for a chemical analysis?
Serum: 5ml- live p/10ml - dead Whole blood: 10ml - live or dead Urine: 50ml - live or dead Vomitus or baits: 200g Liver/Kidney/Fat - 100g Brain: 1/2 frozen and 1/2 in formalin Rumen or stomach contents: 500g
T/F: Serum samples should be frozen when sent off for chemical analysis
TRUE
Whole blood = refrigerated
How should feed or forage samples be prepared for chemical analysis?
Forages should be cut to 3 inches
Sample size shout be on quart or kilogram
Green forage or silage should be frozen (green forage can also be dried)
*samples should be taken from different bales and from different parts of the bale
What information (besides proper labeling/ID) should be included in the info sent with the chemical analysis samples?
Patient history
Clinical signs
Physical exam findings
Suspect toxicants
*letters and instructions should be sealed in a first class mail envelop and attached to the mailing containers
