Illicit And Recrational Drugs - Amphetmine, Cocaine, Marijuana

Question 1

What is the toxic dose of amphetamine and methamphetamine in dogs?

Answer 1

Amephetamine: 20-27mg/kg

Methamphetmaine: 9-11mg/kg

Question 2

T/F: both amphetamines and cocaine are lipid soluble

Answer 2

True

—> readily absorbed and distributed crossing BBB to CNS

Question 3

Where are amphentamines metabolized and excreted

Answer 3

Metabolized in liver

Excreted in urine (ph dependent)

Question 4

What is the halflife of amphetamines?

Answer 4

3.5-6hours

Question 5

What is the MOA of amphentamines

Answer 5

CNS stimulant
Block reuptake of norepi and dopamine
Inhibit MAO
Dopamine excitatory receptor agonist

Peripherally—> sympathomimetic effect by release of norepi and direct stimulant on A and B receptors

Question 6

What are the clinical signs of amphentamines?

Answer 6

Hyperactivity, restlessness, circling, tremors, ataxia, seizures, mydriasis, hyper salivation, and hyperthermia

Question 7

What lab changes would you see with amphentamine toxicosis?

Answer 7

Hypoglycemia
Metabolic acidosis and rhabdomyolysis due to tremors —> myoglobinuria and renal failure (rare)

Can be detected in blood,urine, and saliva

Question 8

How do you treat amphetamine toxicosis?

Answer 8

Induce emesis
Activated charcoal

Phenobarbital and propofol for seizure
Phenothiazines as dopamine receptor antagonist

Treat hyperthermia
Tachyarrythmias with B blocker/lidocaine

Urinary acidifiers like ammonium chloride (unless acidotic)
IV fluid for dehydration, acidosis, and enhance renal excretion

Question 9

What speices is most susceptible to cocaine toxicity?

Answer 9

Dogs (esp police dogs)

Question 10

What is the LD50 for dogs and cats for cocaine?

Answer 10

IV

• dog 3mg/kg
• cat 7.5mg/kg

Oral
-dog 6-12mg/kg

Question 11

Where is cocaine metabolized and excreted?

Answer 11

Metabolized : Plasma and hepatic esterase, and methylated in liver

Excreted : urine

Question 12

What is the MOA of cocaine?

Answer 12

CNS stimulant and sympathomimetic
Block norepi, dopamine, and serotonin reuptake
Increase catecholamine release and sensitize sympathetic effector cells to catecholamines
Direct effect on myocardium

Question 13

Clinical signs associated with cocaine toxicosis?

Answer 13

Vomiting
Hypersalivation 
Mydriasis 
Hyperactivity 
Tremors 
Convulsive seizures 
Hyperthermia 
Tachycardia 
Tachypnea

Question 14

What lesions do you see due to cocaine toxicosis?

Answer 14

Myocardial degeneration
Subendocardial and pericardial hemorrhage
Pericardial effusion
Pulmonary hemorrhage

Question 15

What would you see on a biochem in a case of cocaine toxicosis?

Answer 15

Elevated CK

Systemic acidosis

Question 16

What is the DDX for cocaine toxicosis?

Answer 16

CNS stimulants

• amphetamine
• strychnine
• metaldehyde
• methylxanthine
• pseudoephedrine
• organophosphate and carbamate
• chlorinated hydrocarbons
• permethrin in cat

Question 17

What is the treatment for cocaine toxicity?

Answer 17

Inducing vomiting
Gastric lavage with activated charcoal
Diazepam IV for seizure
Barbiturates or phenothiazine can be used

B blocker for tachyarrythmias
Sodium bicarb or LRS for acidosis
IV fluids to promote diuretics and maintain renal blood flow
Body temp monitored

Question 18

What is the main active constituent of marijuana?

Answer 18

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

Question 19

Hashish (dried resin from flowers) contains up to ___% THC, but oil contains ______%

Answer 19

10; 20

Question 20

What is the toxicity for THC in dogs?

Answer 20

3g/kg

This is 1000 times the behaviour ally effective dose in dogs

Question 21

T/F: THC is lipid soluble

Answer 21

True

Question 22

Oral absorption of THC is increased by ??

Answer 22

Ingestion of a fatty meal

Question 23

Where is THC distributed in the body?

Answer 23

Binds to plasma proteins

All over body including CNS, and adipose tissue

Question 24

What is the halflife of marijuana in dogs?

Answer 24

25-30 hours

Question 25

Where is THC and its metabolites excreted?

Answer 25

Bile and feces
Undergoes enterohepatic recirculation

Only 10% excreted in urine

Question 26

What is the MOA of THC?

Answer 26

2 cannabinoid receptors
—> CB1 in brain -> effect on memory, perception, and controls movement
—> CB1 and CB2 both on immune cells

Question 27

What are the clinical signs of THC?

Answer 27

Vomiting, CNS depression, ataxia, incoordination, tremor, weakness, mydriasis, and hypothermia

Rare - seizure, excitability, bradycardia or tachycardia, hyperthermia, and apprehension

Question 28

What specimens can be used to detect THC?

Answer 28

Urine

Stomach contents

Question 29

T/F: the human urine test for marijuana is effective for testing dogs

Answer 29

False

In dogs there are several other metabolites

Question 30

What is your DDX for marijuana toxicity?

Answer 30

CNS depressants

• opioid
• LSD
• PCP
• tranquilizer
• ethylene glycol
• propylene glycol
• alcohol
• macrolien antiparasitics
• muscle relaxant
• hallucinogenic mushrooms

Question 31

How do you treat marijuana toxicosis?

Answer 31

Usually spontaneously resolve without treatment
Induction of emesis in animals who have not vomited (THC is antiemetic)
Activated charcoal and cathartic

Fluid, oxygen, diazepam for CNS stimulation

Question 32

T/F: cannabinoids have a wide safety margin and are unlikely to be fatal

Answer 32

True