Neurological diseases of small animals 3 Flashcards
Toxicities, pain
List commo neuroinhibitory toxins
- Venom (not found in UK)
- Macadamia nuts
- Metronidazole
What is the first line of treatment with all causes of intoxication?
Decontamination
List the methods for decontamination of gastrointestinally absorbed toxins
- Emesis
- Gastric lavage
- Activated charcoal
- Colonic lavage and cathartics
Outline the use of emesis as a method of decontamination of toxins
- Within 2 hours of ingestion
- In alert patients only in order to prevent aspiration pneumonia
- LImits absorption
Outline the use of gastric lavage as a method of decontamination of toxins
- Within 2 hours of ingestion
- Can be used in subdued/comatose animals
- Must be under GA
- Extreme care to protect airways using cuffed ET tube
Outline the use of activated charcoal as a method of decontamination of toxins
- 1-5g/kg every 6-8 hours for up to 24 hours
- In alert patients only
Outline the method of decontamination of cutaneous toxins
- Bath, for stable patients
- Washing up liquids may be best as are effective against greasy substances which are absorbed best through the siin
What method is used for the decontamination of inhaled toxins?
Ventilation, mechanical in severe cases
Outline the use of lipid infusions as a method of decontamination of toxins
- Lipid infusion (intralipid) if exposure to lipophilic substances
- Acts as lipid sink
- Bolus of 2mg/kg followed by CRI of 4mg/kg/hr for 4 hours
Describe the clinical signs of ivermectin and macrolide parasiticide toxicity
- Ataxia
- Lethargy
- Tremors
- Mydriasis
- Blindness
- Hypersalication
- Disorientation
- Seizures rare)
- In minority of cases: weakness, stupor, coma, respiratory failure
Outline the management of ivermectin and macrolide parasiticide toxicity
- Emesis
- Activated charcoal
- Lipid infusion
- Supportive treatment (temperature)
- Phenobarbital for seizure control or propofol CRI if not responding
Discuss the prognosis for ivermectin/macrolide parasiticide toxicities
- Dose related
- Can be guarded
- Long recovery due to long half life (can have significant financial impact)
How does metaldehyde intoxication occur?
Found in slug and snail baits, contain beetroot derivatives so smell and taste appealing
Describe the mechanism of action of metaldehydes leading to toxicity
- Reduces levels of GABA, reducing inhibition and increasing excitation
- Reduce levels of noradrenaline and serotonin, leading to behavioural effects
- Pro-convulsive effects
What are the lethal doses of metaldehyde in cats and dogs?
LD50 100mg/kg in dogs, 207mg/kg in cats PO
- Difficult to know how much ingested as is sprinkled on the ground
Describe the clinical signs of metaldehyde toxicity
- Anxiety
- Muscle tremors
- Fasciculations
- Ataxia
- Seizures common
- Minority: tachypnoea, tachycardia, hyperthermia
- Muscle involvement can lead to heat stroke
- Vomiting and diarrhoea with highly indicative green-blue colour
- NB often late presentation
Describe the management of metaldehyde toxicity
- Emesis or gastric lavage if not yet seizuring
- Activated charcoal
- Benzodiazepine/phenobarbital for muscle tremors/seizures
- Propofol infusion in refractor seizures
- Monitor body temp, cool if needed
Outline the prognosis for metaldehyde toxicity
Good if prompt intervention
How does methylxanthine toxicity occur?
Ingestion of caffeine, theobromine (chocolate), theophylline
Describe the mechanism of action of methyxanthine toxicity
- Elevation of intracellular cAMP, leading to increased intracellular Ca++ and increased neuromuscular excitability and inotropic effect
- Competitive inhibition of adenosine receptors leading CNS stimulation (A1 and A2 present in brain, regulat heart beat, release of dopamine and glutamate, adenosine increases heart rate and stimulation of the brain)
- Acts on autonomic nervous system
What doses of caffeine and theobromine are likely to lead to mild clinical signs and seizures?
- Mild: 20mg/kg
- Seizures: 60mg/kg
- Cocoa percentage on packet can help work out how many mg
Describe the clinical signs of methylxanthine toxicity
- Usually 1-2 hours after ingestion
- Restlessness, hyperactivity
- V/D
- Tachycardia/tachypnoea
- Polyuria
- Muscle twitching
- Seizures (tonic or tetanic)
- Hyperthermia
Describe the management of methylxanthine toxicity
- Emesis/activated charcoal
- Control of ventricular arrhythmias (lidocaine, procainamide, Ca channel blockers, beta blockers)
- Control muscle tremors/seizures with BZD/phenobarb/propofol if refractory
- Control temperature
Outline the prognosis for methylxanthine toxicity
- Dose dependent
- Good if early treatment
How does organophosphate and carbamate toxicity occur?
Ingestion or dermal contact, commonly used in agriculture, domestic garden use and external parasite control
Describe the mechanism of action of organophosphates and carbamates leading to toxicity
Inhibit action of acetylcholinesterase so Ach accumulates in synaptic space leading to continued muscle contraction (Na+ continues to pass through the channels that are opened by ACh)
What are the 3 syndromes of organophosphate/carbamate toxicity?
- Acute
- Intermediate
- Delayed (neuropathy)
What are the 4 groups of clinical signs seen in acute OP/carbamate toxicity?
- Muscarinic (autonomic Ach receptors)
- Nicotininc (peripheral NS Ach receptors)
- CNS signs
- Heat stroke as a result of muscular thermogenesis
Describe the muscarinic clinical signs of acute OP/carbamate toxicity
- Hypersalivation
- Lacrimation
- Urination
- Defaecation
- Vomiting
- Miosis
- Bradycardia
- Bronchospasm
Describe the nicotinic clinical signs of acute OP/carbamate toxicity
- Muscle fasciculations, twitches, tremors
- Dealy neuromusclar signs due to damage to receptors from over stimulation leading to weakness and paralysis
Describe the CNS signs of acute OP/carbamate toxicity
- Anxiety
- Ataxia
- seizure
- Obtundation (reduced alertness)
- Coma
Describe the intermediate syndrome of OP/carbamate toxicity
- 7-96hours
- Severe neuromuscular signs
- Weakness
- Neck ventroflexion
- Generalised FL weakness
- Hypoventilation (intercostal muscles may be affected)
Describe the delayed syndrome of OP/carbamate toxicity
- 1-4 weeks after exposure
- Anorexia, lethargy, pevic limb paresis
- Hyperaesthesia
- Neck ventroflexion (cat)
- Uncommon
- Presents as LMN weakness
Describe the diagnosis of OP/carbamate toxicity
- Known exposure
- Whole blood (heparin) cholinesterase activity <20-25% of normal
- Gastric content
Describe the management of OP/carbamate toxicity
- Skin decontamination if topical
- EMesis or activated charcoal if ingestion
- Atropine 0.02mg/kg IV for muscarinic signs
- Pralidoxine (2-PAM) 10-20mg/kg SC, IM or IV (care, may worsen clinical signs)
- Supportive care, esp. temperature
Outline the prognosis for OP/carbamate toxicity
- Good if patient survives
- Quick intervention at presentation of initial toxicity needed
How may permethrin toxicity occur?
- Commonly found in medicated shampoo, spot on flea treatments, flea collars, environmental insecticidal treatments
- Common in cats due to inappropriate flea treatment product use
Why are cats more susceptible for permethrin toxicity?
Deficiency in hepatic glucoronidatin
Describe the mechanism of action of permethrin toxicity
- Slows opening and closing of voltage sensitive Na+ channels
- Results in prolonged depolarisation
Describe the clinical presentation of permethrin toxicity
- 3hrs to 3 days post exposure
- Muscle fasciculations
- Ears twitching
- Tremors
- Ataxia
- Seizures, hyperthermia, hyperaesthesia