GI and Skin Toxicants Flashcards
Difference between Primary and Secondary Photosensitization?
LIVER INVOLVEMENT
Primary Photosensitization Plants
St John’s Wort, Buckwheat, Smartweed
Primary Photosensitization
NO liver involvement, agent reacts with UV light at skin surface
Secondary Photosensitization
metabolite of chlorophyll that’s normally excreted in bile but will accumulate if liver is damaged, reacts with UV light in skin
Photosensitization Signs
tissue necrosis, skin sloughing, lacrimation, photophobia, erythema, pruritis
Photosensitization Tx
remove source, stay sheltered, antibiotics as needed, lots of recovery time
Secondary Photosensitization Plants
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Plants, Lantana, alsike clover
Possible additional sign of secondary photosensitization?
icterus
Acute Selenium Toxicity Signs
depression, anorexia, weak, ataxic, dyspnea, garlicky breath
Selenium Sources
plants but also injectable tx for white muscle dz and mulberry heart dz
Chronic Selenium Toxicity Signs
“Alkali disease” = lameness, hoof overgrowth/deformation, hair loss/discoloration, bobtails from hair breakage
Petroleum Distillates Skin Signs
defat the skin –> inc. water loss –> dry, cracked, hyperemia, skin scaling; direct irritation and pain
Petroleum Distillate Skin Tx
bath and emollient, prevent self trauma and infection
emollient
lipid containing creams (return fat to the skin)
Arsenic Sources
ant poison, herbicides, Immiticide (Melarsomine), pressure-treated wood
Main clinical sign of arsenic toxicosis?
Rice water diarrhea! (bloody with shreds of mucosa)
Arsenic Antidotes?
chelators (BAL for LA, DMSA in SA) but must be given quickly
Why are cattle more susceptible to arsenic toxicosis?
people burn the pressure treated wood in their pastures and cows like the salty ashes so they eat it and then they die, RIP
Aspirin Clinical Signs
GI ulceration, centrilobular liver necrosis
Aspirin Tx
supportive care, GI protectants, cathartic if at toxic liver dose
Poisonous Plants with Lectins (3)
- Precatory bean
- Castor Bean
- Black locust
Toxin in Black locust tree?
Robin (horse eat the bark which has the highest concentration)
Toxin in castor bean
ricin (don’t chew, that makes it worse)
toxin in precatory bean
abrin; causes severe GI upset shock and death with very few beans (ornamental jewelry)
Lectin Outcome?
multi-organ failure
Insoluble Calcium Oxalate Plants
- Diffenbachia
- Philodendron
- Spathiphyllum (peace lily)
your waxy green houseplants!
Insoluble Calcium Oxalate Clinical Signs
oral irritation, drooling, swelling of oral cavity
Raphide
spiky crystals that shoot out of insoluble calcium oxalate plants when threatened, cause ouchies
Tx for Insoluble Calcium Oxalate Crystals?
anything with calcium, the best solution is simply milk (can also give GI protectants)
Buttercup clinical signs?
blisters! affects horses a lot
Diterpenoid Plants (2)
Crown of Thorns, Poinsettias
Diterpenoid MOA
white milky sap activates protein kinase C
Diterpenoid Clinical Signs
mild GI upset (some vomiting), but really self-limiting
Bulb Plant Clinical Signs
SEVERE gastroenteritis, vomiting, hypervolemia
Bulb Plants
daffodils, tulips, hyacinths
Trichothecenes
group of mycotoxins that can be found on corn, milo, wheat, rye, barley
Trichothecenes Clinical Signs
dermal/oral irritation and necrosis, GI ulceration, vomiting, feed refusal
Trichothecenes Tx
remove source, provide clean feed, symptomatic and supportive
Are expanding adhesives toxic?
not really, but they cause a pretty nasty foreign body (ex: Gorilla glue, spray foam insulation) and are even a perforation risk (also produces heat!)
Isocyanate
polyurethane adhesive with potential for foreign body
Expanding Adhesive Clinical Signs
unproductive vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, abdominal distension and pain
Expanding Adhesive Tx
surgical removal
Types of Corrosive Agents
- Acids
- Alkalis
- Cationic Detergents
Acid Corrosive Agent Lesions and Signs
causes coagulative necrosis of tissue; painful because nerve endings still exist
Alkali Corrosive Agent Lesions and Signs
causes liquefactive necrosis which kills nerve endings so not painful and animal should continue to eat/drink/etc
Cationic Detergent Corrosive Agents
disinfectants, hand sanitizer, dishwasher detergent
Corrosive Agent Clinical Signs
act locally so ulcers/pain at the site, high fevers (105+)
Should you neutralize corrosive agents?
NO, and never use emesis or lavage or activated charcoal either!!!!
Corrosive Agent Ingestion Tx
Dilute with milk or water! GI protectant (sucralfate slurry), opioids for pain, supportive care
