Soluble Oxalate Flashcards
What are the three toxins in Pigweed (amaranthus spp)?
- nitrate
- Soluble oxalate
- unknown toxin that causes renal failure in large aniamls
Besides soluble oxalates, what toxins does Lamb’s quarter (chenopodium album) accumulate?
Selenium, Nitrate, Soluble oxalates
What species is the most susceptible to soluble oxalate poisoning?
Sheep!
Cattle too
Where are potassium and sodium oxalates found?
Household and industrial produces like rust removers, bleaches, and tanning compounds
What organisms can produce their own soluble oxalates?
Fungi (Aspergillus and Penicillium) - this will increase their toxicity
*ethylene glycol in small animals and poultry - calcium oxalate monohydrate
What are some plants that contain large amounts of soluble oxalates?
Pigweed Beet Lamb's quaters Halogeton Sorrel, soursop Rhubarb Greasewood
What conditions in sheep will increase soluble oxalate toxicity?
Starvation or water deprivation/dehydrated
What is the toxicity dose of soluble oxalates in sheep?
0.55% of body weight
when starved or water deprived - 0.1% of body weight
T/F: Rumen microflora can detoxify oxalates to carbonates and bicarbonates
TRUE
but sheep and cattle are still the most susceptible species to soluble oxalate poisoning
ruminants that graze on oxalate containing plants may gradually detoxify soluble oxalates - tolerance
In what part of the plant is the highest concentration of oxalates?
The leaves
followed by the seeds and then the stems
What will slow absorption of soluble oxalates in the rumen?
The presence of food will decrease the rate of absorption
T/F: Large amounts of oxalate over a short period time is more toxic than smaller doses for a longer duration of time
TRUE
What mineral in the diet will decrease toxicity of soluble oxalates?
Calcium
a calcium rich diet will bind with soluble oxalates making insoluble calcium oxalate which is not absorbed and excreted in the feces
What happens to soluble oxalates once they are absorbed in the blood?
they combine with calcium ion to form insoluble calcium oxalate - these leads to hypocalcemia and tetany
these crystals will also cause mechanical damage to capillaries - especially in the kidney –> tubular necrosis and damage
What clinical signs will be noted in a patient with soluble oxalate poisoning?
onset of signs is a few hours:
- initial signs = GI; hypocalcemia - colic, dullness, depression, muscle twitching, weakness, prostration, coma, rapid breathing and blood tinged froth from mouth, +/- death
- Renal signs come later - oliguria, depression, hyperkalemia, and cardiac failure
if patient survives - chronic tubular nephrosis and polyuria
