Plants

Question 1

Lilies

Answer 1

*common in cats in Easter time
*Species: Lillium and Hemerocallis
-Stargrazer, Rubrum, Tiger, Easter, Day and Japanese Show Lillies
*Toxic parts: any part of the plant
*Signs:
-within 2 hours of ingestion
-vomiting, depression and anorexia
-within12 hours: expect elevations in creatinine, BUN, phosphorous and potassium
-24hrs: proteinuria and glucosuria = renal tubular damage
*Tx:
-decontamination
-AC
-IVF @ 2x mains for 48 hrs
(Necrosis happening at renal tubular epithelial cells that can regenerate with aggressive tx!!!)
-tx >18 hours post ingestion = guarded prognosis

Question 2

Rhododendrons and Azaleas

Answer 2

• Toxic component: grayan glycoside (diterpinoid compound)
• binds to and produces a modified opening of sodium channels
• present in all parts of the plant
• Clinical signs:
• tachycardia or bradycardia
• GI signs: ptyalism, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
• Cardiovascular changes: hypertension, dyspnea, CNS depression, coma, death
• TX:
• atropine for bradycardia
• catecholamine for hypotension

Question 3

Cycad (Sago) palm

Answer 3

• all parts of the plant is toxic
• highest concentration in the seed
• Three toxicants:
• cycasin
• B-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA)
• unidentified toxin
• Signs:
• a few days or few hours
• vomiting and diarrhea (may have blood)
• lethargy
• depression
• increases in ALT and AST, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin within 24-48hours
• hepatic encephalopathy and coagulopathy may occur
• TX:
• aggressive decontamination
• multiple doses of AC
• supportive care with IVF
• Liver and GI Protectants
• Prognosis:
• 75% mortality rate if hepatic necrosis has occurred

Question 4

Castor Bean Plant

Answer 4

• Toxic compound:
• ricin (one of the deadliest substances known)
• found in all parts of the plant
• most concentrated in the bean
• lethal when ingested

*Mechanism of action:
-cellular toxin contained in A and B glycoprotein chains
-B facilitates endocytosis
-A inhibits protein synthesis and causes cell death
~also disrupts calcium homeostasis by decreasing calcium uptake
~disrupts cardiac nerve conduction
-binds to cells in the intestinal wall and interfere with nutrient absorption
-can also impair immunity

• Clinical signs
• within 6 hours of ingestion
• consistent with damage to intestinal mucosa
• vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis
• increases in ALT, aspartame aminotransferase (AST)
• Tx:
• decontamination
• supportive care
• Emesis, AC, GI Protectants, ABs
• frequent feeding to maintain health of intestinal villi
• address hepatic failure
• Low mortality rate if seed has not been broken
• Prognosis guarded if seed broken

Question 5

Oleander, Foxglove, Lilly of the Valley, Kalanchoe app.

Answer 5

• Contains cardiac glycosides
• inhibits sodium-potassium ATPase, leading to electrolyte disturbances across the wall
• intracellular sodium increases and potassium levels decreases
• disorganized cardiac activity = arrhythmias=cardiac arrest
• Ingestion of even a few leaves is lethal

TX:

• decontamination if possible
• AC repeatedly due to hepatic recirculation
• supportive care: IVF but don’t use calcium based IVF as can augment the effects of the toxin
• antiarrhythmic drugs

Question 6

Autumn crocus

Answer 6

• Toxic component:
• Colchicines and other alkaloids
• arrest mitosis leading to apoptosis
• Clinical signs:
• inappetence
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• salivation
• depression
• abdominal pain
• hemorrhagic gastroenteritis
• weakness
• ataxia
• paresis
• collapse
• renal failure
• malabsorption from swelling of intestinal mucosal crypt enthothelium
• increased BUN, erthroycytosis, leucopenia, and myelosuppresion can occur
• Tx:
• symptomatic
• fluid therapy
• GI Protectants
• cardiac monitoring
• AB indicated for myelosuppresion (bone marrow suppression) and to prevent bacterial translocation from compromised gastrointestinal integrity