Iron Flashcards
Which animals have a higher requirement for iron?
young ones (low in milk diet) Iron def is common in cattle and pigs
What is the most common cause of toxicity?
improper supplementation
what other vit and mineral causes higher resistance to Iron toxicity?
higher Se/Vit E levels
- stabalize membranes damaged by excess iron
What are factors influencing toxicity?
age - young
iron stores - animals that are born with high iron stores
vitE/Se - young animals are born with lower levels
What is mechanism of toxicity?
not fully understood
CV collapse and often due from shock
increase permeability resulting in loss of fluid
iron also causes hepatic necrosis and impairs clotting mechanism resulting in hemorrhage
What three syndromes have been described?
peracute
subacute (classical)
chronic
What is seen with peracute poisoning?
anaphylactoid-like reaction and die from shock
death mins to 1-2h
associated with iron products
“immune mediated”
What is seen with subacute “classical” poisoning?
CNS - drowsiness, depression - coma, death, 4-5h GIT - vomiting, diarrhea melena Liver - necrosis, icterus Kidney - hemoglobinuria CV - pale skin
dyspnea, acidosis (puffing pretty good)
hemorrhage
edema at injection site
What is seen with chronic poisoning?
if exceeds 5000mg/kg
animal will develop rickets and poor growth
iron binds phosphates and alters bone grwoth
palatability problem (starvation)
What is found on PM for subacute?
peripheral hepatic necrosis
iron deposits in kupffner cells
icterus in most tissues
blood stained contents and myodegeneration (not cardiac)
What is the treatment for iron?
often unsuccessful
prior to GIT manifestation
- milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) can be given to form insoluble iron hydroxide salts
fluids for shock and acidosis
chelators
- defroxamine
- CaEDTA doesnt work
What is the most usefultreatment?
Vit E
- prevents further liver damage by antioxidant properties
