Poisonings Flashcards
1
Q
Preparations for Poisonings
A
- Xylazine, Dex, Apomorphine to induce vomiting
- Activated charcoal +/- cathartic
- IV Fluids
- Antidote, if applicable
2
Q
Poisoning Signs
(8)
A
- Excitability
- Ataxia
- Muscle tremors / Convulsions
- Salivation / Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness / Depression
- Ulcers on skin
- Shock
3
Q
Objective of Treatment
A
Treat the patient, not the poison
* maintain respiration and preserve vitals
* dilute poison
* remove poison from system
* neutralize with antidote, if applicable
4
Q
Poisoning Diagnostic Tests
A
- PCV / TP
- Urinalysis and SG
- BUN and BG
5
Q
Vomiting
When Not To
A
- Corrosive or petroleum products
- Poison will cause sedation or seizures
- It has been 2-4 hours since ingestion
6
Q
Gastric Lavage
When to do
A
- Perform if emetics are not effective
- Patient is unconscious
- Patient has reduced gag reflex
7
Q
Gastric Lavage and Vomiting
Accuracy
A
Not guaranteed
* removes only 50% of the stomach contents
8
Q
Types of Absorbents
A
- Activated Charcoal
- Kaopectate
9
Q
Administrating Absorbents
A
Given in the GI tract to soak up poisons like a sponge
10
Q
Absorbents
Not Effective For
A
- Alcohol
- Xylitol
- Heavy metals
- Antifreeze
11
Q
Fluid Administration
A
- Intralipids
- IV Fluids helps dilute the body
- Frequent urination good for Chocolate and Coffee poisonings
12
Q
Cathartics
A
Increase the speed of passage of GI contents
* give with first dose of absorbents
* ex: sorbitol and epsom salts
13
Q
Acetaminophen
Cat vs Dog
A
- Cats = more sensitive; tissue hypoxia
- Dogs = liver failure
14
Q
Acetaminophen
How it affects cats
A
- Causes tissue hypoxia
- Red blood cells converted to no longer carry oxygen
15
Q
Acetaminophen
Cat Symptoms
A
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Edema/swelling of face and paws
- Dark brown blood, urine, and mm*
*because of the methemoglobin
16
Q
Acetaminophen Treatment
A
- Induced vomiting if applicable
- Vitamin C
- Oxyglobin
17
Q
Organophosphate
A
- Act by increasing parasympathetic activity
- Cats more sensitive than dogs
18
Q
Organophosphate Symptoms
A
- Vomiting / Salivating
- Diarrhea
- Small pupils
- Muscle tremors / Seizures
19
Q
Organophosphate Treatments
A
- Atropine, large doses
- Vomiting if oral and applicable
- Bath if topical
20
Q
Pyrethrin / Permethrin
A
- Insecticide more common than organophosphates
- Common toxicity in cats
- Active ingredient for Advantage II
- “All-Natural”
21
Q
Pyrethrin / Permethrin
Poisoning Symptoms
A
- Tremors / Muscle twitching
- Salivating / Vomiting
- Ataxia
Similar to OP toxicity - have owner bring product in
22
Q
Pyrethrin / Permethrin Treatments
A
- Valium or Propofol (any anesthetic that controls temors) + methocarbamol
- Thermal support
- Fluids - Intralipids
23
Q
Zinc Toxicity Sources
A
Ingestion of
* pennies
* crate screws
* battery covers
* old bird cages
24
Q
Zinc Toxicity Signs
A
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Anorexia
- Depression
- Hemolytic Anemia
25
Zinc Toxicity
| Hemolytic Anemia
Causes kidney damage
* may see red in urine - hemoglobins
* elevated BUN often seen
26
Zinc Toxicity Treatment
* Remove source of zinc via endoscopy (ideal) or surgery
* Provide fluids support for kidneys
* Transfusion if anemia is severe
27
Zinc Toxicity Considerations
| Post-Treatment
Zinc may remain in the system even after removal of foreign body
28
Anticoagulant Rodenticide
* No longer available
* Prevents Vitamin K recycling
29
Anticoagulant Rodenticide Symptoms
* May be delayed
* Really variable - bleeding from anywhere
30
Anticoagulant Rodenticide Diagnosis
History and Blood Tests
* anemia, but can be mild
* coagulation panel
* PIVKA test
31
Anticoagulant Rodenticide Treatment
* Induce vomiting (if applicable) and give activated charcoal
* Antidote: Vitamin K
* Blood transfusion - if symptoms of anemia or bleeding
32
Anticoagulant Rodenticide
| Vitamin K Administration
Needs to be given at least a week after exposure, depending on the product ingested
* give with a fatty meal
33
Bromethalin Rodenticide
* Causes neurologic issues
* Decreases conduction of nerve impulses
34
Bromethalin Rodenticide
| Symptoms
Signs show with 24 hours or up to 2 weeks later
* muscle tremors / seizures
* ataxia
* coma
* paralysis
* death
35
Bromethalin Rodenticide
| Treatment
* Induce vomiting, if applicable
* Fluids
* Activated charcoal
36
Chocolate Poisoning
Active ingrediant is a stimulant, similar to caffeine, leading to toxicity
37
Chocolate Poisoning Symptoms
Start within 4-6 hours after ingestion
* vomiting / diarrhea
* restlessness / panting
* elevated HR / abdnormal heart rhythms
* muscle tremors / seizures
38
Chocolate Poisoning Treatment
Treat like basic poisoning
* vomiting, if applicable
* activated charcoal
* fluids most important - toxin excreted in urine*
| *catheter or frequent walks - can be reabsorbed back into system
39
Xylitol
| What it is / What is does
Sugar-free products
Causes
* low blood sugar
* liver necrosis
40
Xylitol Treatment
* Vomiting may not help due to product quickly dissolving
* IV fluids with Dextrose
41
Ibuprofen / NSAID Treatment
* Induce vomiting, if applicable
* Give activated charcoal
* Fluid support
* Diuresis
* Protect GI tract
* Intralipids
42
Ibuprofen / NSAID Causes
* Severe vomiting
* Gastric ulceration
* Kidney damage
43
Ibuprofen / NSAID Diagnosis
* BUN
* Creatinine
44
Ibuprofen / NSAID
| Treatment - Medications
* Pepcid / Femotidine injection to decrease acid production in stomach
* Sucralfate to form pastey-like substance, sticks to ulcers on GI mucosa
45
Antifreeze Poisoning
* Takes very little amount
* Metabolism causes acidosis
* Metabolism occurs quickly
46
Antifreeze Poisoning Metabolism
* Acidosis occurs
* Formation of calcium oxalate crystals
* Crystals go into kidney tubules; no way to dissolve or remove
* Clog up and prevent urine formation
* End result is anuric renal failure
47
Antifreeze Poisoning Symptoms
Stage 1
* neurological signs
* start within 30 min-12 hours after
Stage 2
* increased HR and RR
* 12-24 hours after
Stage 3
* renal disease
* 24-72 hours after
48
Antifreeze Poisoning
| Lab Results
* Increased BUN and Creatinine
* Acidosis
* Hyperglycemia
* Calcium oxalate or hippuric acid crystals in urine
* Positive in-house ethylene glycol test
49
Antifreeze Poisoning Treatment
* Fluids
* Treat for seizures
* Ethanol or Antizol therapy - alter metabolism of ethylene glycol to not form crystals
* Continue treatment for 36 hours after ingestion
