Introduction to Veterinary Toxicology (1)

Question 1

What is poison?

Answer 1

a substance that is capable of causing the illness or death of a living organism when
introduced or absorbed

Question 2

What is poisonous?

Answer 2

(of a substance or plant) causing or capable of causing death or illness if taken into the body

Question 3

What is a toxin?

Answer 3

a poisonous substance that is a specific product of the metabolic activities of a living organism and is usually very unstable, notably toxic when introduced into the tissues and typically capable of inducing antibody formation

Question 4

What is toxic?

Answer 4

containing or being poisonous material when capable of causing death or serious debilitation

Question 5

What is a toxicant?

Answer 5

any toxic substance

• can be poisonous and may be man-made or naturally occurring

different types of toxicants can be found in air, soil, water, or food

Question 6

What is venom?

Answer 6

a toxic substance produced by some animals that is injected into prey or an enemy chiefly by biting or stinging and has an injurious or lethal effect broadly

Question 7

If you bite it and you die, it’s [venom/poison]. If it bites you and you die, it’s [venom/poison].

Answer 7

poison
venom

Question 8

What is toxicosis?

Answer 8

a pathological condition caused by the action of a poison or toxin

Question 9

What is intoxication?

Answer 9

the state of being intoxicated, especially by alcohol or by an toxin

Question 10

What is poisoning?

Answer 10

the action of administering poison to a person or animal

Question 11

What is toxicity?

Answer 11

the quality of being toxic or poisonous

Question 12

What are the most deadly toxins to humans?

Answer 12

• botulism toxin A
• tetanus toxin A

Question 13

What are the steps of toxicology analysis?

Answer 13

1. list the toxological differentials
2. obtain appropriate samples
3. determine appropriate extraction technique (making colorful solids into clear liquids)
4. determine appropriate analysis
5. interpret results

Question 14

What is extremely important when trying to determine if an animal has encountered a toxin?

Answer 14

HISTORY!

analysis is often confirmatory rather than diagnostic

Question 15

What are tips for gathering history in the context of toxicology?

Answer 15

• do not assume
• do not jump to conclusions

then see if physical exam fits the history

Question 16

Usually, baseline diagnostics are [before/after] specific toxicological testing

Answer 16

before

Question 17

What are components of antemortem sampling?

Answer 17

Question 18

What are components of postmortem sampling?

Answer 18

• collect everything! LOTS!

every organ, fluids, GI contents, skin/hair if suspect topical exposure

Question 19

What organ is especially good to send off for postmortem analysis? Why?

Answer 19

eyeballs - things that go in the aqueous or vitreous humor do not leave as fast

Question 20

What are the steps of sample collection for analysis?

Answer 20

1. history
2. examination
3. baseline diagnostics
4. environmental exam (large animal)

Question 21

What mnemonic do you use to go through diagnostics?

Answer 21

DAMNIT

Question 22

What is methomyl, a carbamate insecticide?

Answer 22

cholinesterase inhibitor

Question 23

What is the function of cholinesterase inhibitors? What happens when they are defective?

Answer 23

break down acetylcholine

• excessive contractions
• could have diaphragm spasm

Question 24

Toxicological rule-outs are based on ______

Answer 24

1. history
2. physical or postmortem examination
3. baseline diagnostic tests
4. environmental examination
5. toxicological analyses

Question 25

What was the cholinesterase inhibitor mentioned in this lecture?

Answer 25

methomyl, a carbamate insecticide