Diseases

Question 1

What is another name for the Bufo Toad?

Answer 1

Colorado River Toad.

Question 2

How does the bufo toad produce toxins?

Answer 2

Glands in the skin, largest of which are by the eyes. White, creamy, thick toxin.

Question 3

What are the toxic principles in bufo toads?

Answer 3

bufagenins and bufotoxins

Question 4

What is the MOA of bufagenins?

Answer 4

Digitalis-like:

Question 5

What is the MOA of bufotoxins?

Answer 5

Local anesthetic-like: block sodium channels

Question 6

Signs of bufo toad toxicity?

Answer 6

Mild: frothy salivation, head shaking, pawing at mouth from local irritation, vomiting or retching
Severe: Convulsions, arrhythmias (various types), dyspnea, death

Question 7

Treatment for Bufo toad toxicity?

Answer 7

Mild: lavage mouth (toxin can aerosolize so remove animal from area after ravaging)
Severe: treat arrhythmias as standard (atropine for brady, lidocaine for tachy), benzodiazepines for seizures, oxygen support as needed

Question 8

Full name of Valley Fever

Answer 8

Coccidioides immitis or posadasii

Question 9

What species are significantly affected by Valley Fever?

Answer 9

All can be affected, only dogs show significant infections usually

Question 10

When most prone to getting Valley Fever?

Answer 10

Rainy period then a long drought.

Question 11

How often does dissemination of Valley Fever occur?

Answer 11

20% of the time

Question 12

If a cat gets Valley Fever what are the signs?

Answer 12

Skin lesions +/- weight loss, fever, inappetence

Question 13

How often do cats get disseminated disease?

Answer 13

50% but they don’t get it that often to begin with.

Question 14

Nodules of valley fever have what histological apperance?

Answer 14

Pyogranulomatous and epithelial/giant cells

Question 15

Diagnosis of valley fever

Answer 15

Enlarged thoracic lymph nodes
Pyogranulomatous nodules with spherules
Confirmative: spherules in tissue
Can also use AGID assays for titers

Question 16

In tissue what does coccidioides look like?

Answer 16

Spherules

Question 17

Treatment of valley fever

Answer 17

Fluconazole x 6-12 mo

Amphotericin B best but too toxic

Question 18

What form is valley fever in in the soil?

Answer 18

Mycelium

Question 19

Describe the type of fungus coccidioides is

Answer 19

Dimorphic, saprophytic

Question 20

Describe the lifecycle of valley fever

Answer 20

Mycelium in soil –> inhaled by canine
Gets to hilar lymph nodes within 10 days of exoposure
Spherules in lungs –> releases endospores
Endospores most vulnerable to phagocytosis
Forms more spherules
Dissemination usually 4 months from exposure (faster in immunosuppressed animals)

Question 21

Most common symptom of Valley Fever

Answer 21

Cough (dry if LN, wet if alveolar)

Question 22

Ehrlichia canis is transmitted by what type of tick?

Answer 22

Rhipicephalus (brown dog tick)

Question 23

Ehrlichia is what type of organism?

Answer 23

Obligate intracellular bacteria

Question 24

What type of cell does ehrlichia infect?

Answer 24

Monocytes

Question 25

Ehrlichiosis can be caused by which two species?

Answer 25

E. canis and E. chaffennsis

Question 26

Is ehrlicha zoonotic?

Answer 26

Not from dogs, but occasionally humans can be infected with the pathogen.

Question 27

Ehrliche chaffennsis is transmitted by which tick?

Answer 27

Amblyomma (lone star tick, white-tailed deer tick)

Question 28

Most common signs of ehrlichiosis in the dog?

Answer 28

Fever Reticuloendothelial hyperplasia (generalized lymphadenomegaly and splenomegaly) Thrombocytopenia (+/- petechia depending on severity) Stiff gait / limb edema Anorexia Coughing

Question 29

Ehrlichiosis is most common at what times of the year?

Answer 29

Warmer months

Question 30

What breeds are most prone to developing chronic ehrlichiosis infections?

Answer 30

German Shepherds

Question 31

What additional symptoms occur in cases of chronic ehrlichiosis?

Answer 31

``` Glomerulonephritis --> renal failure Weight loss Hyperglobulinemia (polyclonal) Anterior uveitis Interstitial pneumonia Meningitis ```

Question 32

Diagnosis of ehrlichiosis?

Answer 32

CBC to look for thrombocytopenia IFA titers or ELISA tests (both may be cross reactive or be indicative of previous infection) Intracytoplasmic inclusion body (low sensitivity) Response to treatment (return to normothermic in 24-48 hours)

Question 33

Treatment of ehrlichiosis?

Answer 33

Doxycycline (due to good intracellular penetration and consistent sensitivity of ehrlichia) Treat empirically before test results Could also try tetracycline Supportive care

Question 34

Prevention of ehrlichiosis?

Answer 34

Tick prevention Use only seronegative dogs for blood transfusions Prophylactic use of low dose tetracycline in very endemic, high dog population kennels.

Question 35

Do all Gila monster bites contain venom

Answer 35

No

Question 36

What are the most serious signs of Gila monster bites?

Answer 36

Hypotension, pain, anaphylaxis, arrhythmias

Question 37

Treatment for Gila monster bites

Answer 37

Supportive (pain meds, abx, fluids)

Question 38

What family of snakes is the rattlesnake in?

Answer 38

Crotalidae

Question 39

What does rattlesnake venom do?

Answer 39

Hemotoxic Necrotizing Anticoagulant

Question 40

Where is the worst place to get bit by a snake?

Answer 40

Thorax or abdomen

Question 41

When does antivenin work the best?

Answer 41

If administered <6 hours after a bite | But still has positive effects later

Question 42

What antibiotics should be used for rattlesnake bites?

Answer 42

Broad spectrum (gen ampicillin or cephalosporins) for tissue necrosis

Question 43

What is the main sign of black widow envenomation?

Answer 43

Muscle cramping and fasciculation. | Venom is a neurotoxin that depletes neurotransmitters at synaptic junctions

Question 44

Treatment of black widow spider envenomation?

Answer 44

``` Antivenin is super expensive so only very severe cases Calcium gluconate Opioids Muscle relaxants +/- diazepam ```