Organic arsenic Flashcards
T/F: organic arsenic toxicosis will affect the CNS in the target species
FALSE
Peripheral neurotoxicant
**in the non target species the CNS will be affected
What is organic arsenic used for?
Used as a growth promoter due to its antimicrobial effects - feed additive in swine and poultry
What organic arsenic is used in swine and poultry?
Arsanilic acid - mainly swine
Roxarsone- mainly poultry
*these are usually okay at recommended doses unles the patient is too young, dehydrated, sick ,or the dose is too high
What is the source of organic arsenic poisoning in animals?
Over dosage or prolonged use
What state is organic arsenic in?
pentavalent oxidation statef
they are phenylarsonic acid derivatives
What organic arsenic will cause illness in poultry?
Arsanilic acid (used mostly in swine)
and Roxarsone (mostly used in poultry)
T/F: Both Arsanilic acid and Roxarsone can be toxic in swine
TRUE
What clinical signs are associated with high levels of arsanilic acid in swine?
Signs of Peripheral nerve damage
What clinical signs are associated with Roxarsone poisoning in swine?
sudden CNS excitability
What amt (ppm) of arsanilic acid will cause toxicosis when a pig is exposed to that quantity for 7-10 days?
500 ppm
(recommended dose is 50-100ppm for growth promotion and 250-400ppm for control of swine desentery
What amt (ppm) of Roxarsone will cause toxicosis when a pig is exposed to that quantity for 7-10 days?
250ppm
recommended dose for growth promotion is 25-50ppm and for swine dysentery 200ppm
What patient factors will increase the toxicity of inorganic arsenic substances?
dehydration
water deprivation
renal insufficiency
Where is organic arsenic absorbed, distributed, and how is it excreted?
absorbed via GIT (small amount)
Distributed throughout the body
Excreted unchanged in the urine
The peripheral nerve demylination and axonal damage caused by organic arsenic is similar to what vitamin deficiency?
B
T/F: Pigs that have arsanilic acid poisoning will still have a good appetite
TRUE!!!
but they may not be able to move to their food source
What clinical signs are seen in pigs with arsanilic acid poisoning?
acute onset = 3-5 days
Incoordination, ataxia, partial paralysis
blindness may occur
Erythemia and sensitivity to sunlight
Chronic: gradual onset of blindness and partial paralysis
**in both - pigs will still eat and drink
What clinical signs are associated with Roxarsone poisoning in swine?
CNS hyper-excitability (since this is not the target species)
tremors, collapse, coma
**NO blindness
What clinical signs will be seen in poultry with Roxarsone poisoning?
Peripheral nerve damage (since this is the target spps)
incoordination and ataxia
What specimens should be tests if you suspect organic arsenic poisoning?
feed, liver, and kidney
What lesions are seen in swine with organic arsenic poisoning?
erythema in light skinned pigs
Muscle atrophy in chronic cases
Microscopically - peripheral nerve and optic nerve degeneration, demyelination, and gliosis
What are the DDX for arsanilic acid toxicosis in swine?
Subacute selenium toxicosis (paralysis without blindness)
Organic mercury (Sz)
Vitamin B complex deficiency
Infectious diseases
What are the DDX for roxarsone poisoning in swine?
anything causing excitability of the CNS:
pesticides, water deprivation/sodium ion toxicosis
T/F: There is a specific antidote for organic arsenic poisoning
FALSE
What is the recommended treatment for organic arsenic toxicosis?
general
withdrawal of organic arsenicals
Fluid therapy, vitamins, prophylactic antibiotics
recovery may take 2-4 weeks
if the myelin sheath is intact - can recover over time
