Molluscicide/Metaldehyde

Question 1

What is a molluscicide?

Answer 1

Pesticides against mollusk to control Gastropoda pests specifically slugs and snails which damage crops or other valued plants

Question 2

What is the most common type of molluscidide?

Answer 2

Metaldehyde

Question 3

What is the source of metalaldehyde?

Answer 3

Neurotoxicant widely associated with poisoning in a variety of domestic and wildlife species

Question 4

What species are most poisonings reported and how does it happen?

Answer 4

Dogs, and careless placement of bait

Question 5

How do animals get exposed?

Answer 5

Ingestion of bait is most common

The concentration in the US is 2-5%

Question 6

True or False. “Pet Friendly” products are dangerous for animals.

Answer 6

True

Question 7

What are the toxicokinetics of metalaldehyde?

Answer 7

Undergoes GIT acid hydrolysis to acetaldehyde
Then it is readily absorbed as metaldehyde and acetylaldehyde
Both of these cross the BBB
Rapidly metabolized in the liver by microsomal P450 enzyme
Both metaldehyde and acetaldehyde are excreted in the urine

Question 8

What is the MOA?

Answer 8

Decreased brain GABA- neuro stimulation
Increased monoamine oxidase
-decreased brain serotonin (5HT) and norepi—which reduces threshold for convulsions
Increased neuromuscular activity and production of acidic metaldehyde metabolites
-Metabolic acidosis and hyperthermia
Death respiratory failure (acute) and liver failure (chronic)

Question 9

What are the clinical signs?

Answer 9

Acute neuro manifestations that develop 1-3 hours after ingestion
Initial onset- severe muscle tremors, salivation, anxiety, hyperesthesia, ataxia, tachycardia, hyperthermia
With progression to acidosis- vomiting, D+, depression, and hyperpnea opisthotonos and continuous tonic convulsions that are unresponsive to external stimuli (contrast to strychnine poisoning)

Question 10

What is the treatment for metaldehyde?

Answer 10

No specific antidote