Inorganic Arsenic Toxicosis Flashcards
Has the use or arsenic increased or declined?
Declined
What are 5 potential sources of arsenic?
- Wood preservative
- Insecticides
- Herbicides
- Fungicides
- Rodenticides
How can calves be poisoned by arsenic?
Milk from poisoned cows
What are 4 types of materials arsenic can be found in?
- Paint
- Pigments
- Detergents
- Building materials
What are the 3 oxidative states of arsenic?
- Elemental
- Trivalent (arsenite)
- Pentavalent (arsenate)
What does arsenic react with?
-SH group
What is the lethal oral dose of arsenic for most species?
1-25 mg/kg
What are 3 types of toxicosis that have been seen with arsenic?
What is one that has not been documented?
- Peracute, acute, subacute
- Chronic
What type of animals are most susceptible to arsenic toxicosis?
Herbivores
What is one species that can get poisoned by arsenic in ant and roach baits?
Dogs
What are 2 species that are rarely poisoned by arsenic?
- Swine
- Chickens
Name the forms of arsenic in order from least to most toxic.
- Organic
- Pentavalent
- Inorganic trivalent
Where is pentavalent converted to trivalent?
Liver
What are 3 routes of entry for arsenic?
- GI tract
- Intact skin
- Inhalation
Where are 6 locations where arsenic achieves higher concentrations?
- Liver
- Kidney
- Hair
- Hoof
- Nail
- Skin
Does arsenic cross the BBB?
Poorly
How is arsenic mainly excreted?
What are 6 other ways it can be excreted in small amounts?
- Urine
- Feces, milk, saliva, sweat, hair, exhalation
Can milk from poisoned cows contain toxic levels of arsenic?
Yes
What does trivalent arsenic bind to?
2-SH groups of lipoic acid
What is lipoic acid?
Essential co-factor for the enzymatic decarboxylation of keto acids
Inhibition of lipoic acid inhibits or slows what?
Glycolysis and citric acid cycle
What does pentavalent arsenic do?
Uncouples oxidative phosphorylation and may interfere with vitamins B1 and B6 metabolism
T/F: Arsenic has a local corrosive effect.
True
What type of tissues are more sensitive to arsenic toxicosis?
What are 3 examples of these?
- Tissues rich in oxidative enzymes
- Intestines, liver, kidney
What type of cells are most sensitive to arsenic toxicosis?
Capillary endothelial cells
Are the following signs seen with peracute, acute or subacute arsenic toxicosis:
Sudden death or severe colic, collapse and death
Peracute
Are the following signs seen with peracute, acute or subacute arsenic toxicosis:
Rapid onset, severe colic, staggering, salivation, vomiting, thirst, watery diarrhea which may be hemorrhagic, possible hematuria, and death in 1-3 days
Acute
Are the following signs seen with peracute, acute or subacute arsenic toxicosis:
Colic, anorexia, depression, diarrhea with blood or mucosal shreds, dehydration, partial paralysis of hind limbs, and death in several days
Subacute
GI mucosal edema and hemorrhage with sloughing and perforation, liver and kidney damage can be seen with what type of toxicosis?
Arsenic toxicosis
What can be seen microscopically with arsenic toxicosis?
Capillary degeneration
Skin exposure to arsenic can cause what in addition to systemic signs?
Skin lesions and blistering
What is the best antemortem specimen for chemical analysis for arsenic toxicosis?
Best 2 postmortem specimens?
- Urine
- Liver and kidney
What is the normal tissue residue level of arsenic?
0.5 ppm
What level of arsenic in the liver or kidney gives a strong indication of arsenic toxicosis?
7-10 ppm
Is there an increase or decrease in PCV with arsenic toxicosis?
BUN?
- Increase PCV
- Increase BUN
Signs of sudden onset of bloody diarrhea or watery diarrhea with mucosal shreds can be seen with what type of toxicosis?
Arsenic toxicosis
Caustics, irritant plants, urea, pesticides, severe acute heavy metal toxicosis, monensin, blister beetles in horses, OP, hypomagnesemia and enteric bacterial and viral diseases are differential diagnoses for what toxicosis?
Arsenic poisoning
What type of treatment is given with arsenic toxicosis?
Emergency and supportive treatment
What are 4 forms of decontamination that can be used with arsenic toxicosis?
- Gastric lavage
- Mineral oil
- Activated charcoal
- Demulcents to coat GI mucosa
What is contraindicated in the decontamination of arsenic toxicosis?
Emetics and strong cathartics
What is the chelator of choice for inorganic arsenic toxicosis?
Dimercaprol
What is important with the use of dimercaprol?
Why?
- Following dosage and dosage regimen
- May increase toxicity by mobilization of arsenic with wrong dose and cause toxic side effects
What is a drug that is safer but less effective than dimercaprol in severe toxicosis?
Dimercaptosuccinic acid
What is the prognosis for arsenic toxicosis?
Grave if not treated early
