Rodenticides: Zinc Sulfide Dr. Boots

Question 1

What is an added risk with zinc phosphide

Answer 1

human risk

Question 2

What class of pesticide are zinc phosphide formulations

Answer 2

RUP - restricted use pesticides

Question 3

What is phosphine gas used as

Answer 3

fumigant (insects, rodents)

Question 4

What is the distinctive odor of zinc phosphide

Answer 4

Acetylene, rotten garlic or “dead fish”

Question 5

True or false: Zinc phosphide is corrosive

Answer 5

True - which makes it a GI irritant

Question 6

What might be elevated in an exposed animal

Answer 6

serum/tissue zinc levels

Question 7

CS of zinc phosphide toxicosis

Answer 7

Rapid onset (minutes to hours) Anorexia, vomiting (hematemesis) Abd pain & bloat in cattle Incr rate/depth of respiration, wheezing, dyspnea Dogs may show CNS excitation Death within 3-48 hours

Question 8

How should lab samples be processed

Answer 8

in an airtight container & frozen ASAP

Question 9

Tx for Zinc phosphide

Answer 9

No specific antidote Warn owners about good ventilation, may auto-decontaminate en route! Supportive/symptomatic therapy

Question 10

Px for zinc phosphide

Answer 10

Auto-decontamination helps recovery  If no signs by 8-12h post ingestion or 12-24h after vomiting prognosis is favorable  Animals showing severe signs of tissue damage have guarded to poor prognosis  Prognosis improves if they survive past 24 hours  In all symptomatic survival patients monitor liver/kidney values after 3-5 days (rare delayed injury)