Poisonous Animals

Question 1

what is the most poisonous animal in NA? where does the toxin come from?

Answer 1

Cane Toads

biogenic amine (toxin form parotid glands)

Question 2

Where were cane toads introduce to?

Answer 2

hawaii, florica, aus, puerto rica, venesuala, philipines

Question 3

How do dogs get poisonined? whats the toxic level?

Answer 3

lick them

take about a mg/kg (depends on size and time in mouth)

Question 4

What is the toxic mechanism of cane toad secretions?

Answer 4

biogenic amine (dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin)

• vasocontriction and hypertension

indolealkylamines
- hallucinogenic effects like ergot, LSD and psilocin

bufagenins

• digitalis like cardiotoxin
• similar to foxglove

disrupts ATPase, pacemaker, depolarization, arrythmias, cardiac arrest

Question 5

What are the clinical signs of cane toads? onset/duration?

Answer 5

onset 10min to 1h

brick red MM, salivation, mydriasis, weakness, hypertension –> hypotension, bradycardia –> Vtach, Vfib, pulmonary edema –> dyspnea

disorientation, ataxia, seizures, coma, conduction block

Question 6

what is the treatment of cane toad poisoning?

Answer 6

remove toad
wash mouth out
S&S care
control seizures
treat arrythmias
antidigitalis antibodies (digibind)