Soluble Oxalate Flashcards

1
Q

What are the three toxins in Pigweed (amaranthus spp)?

A
  1. nitrate
  2. Soluble oxalate
  3. unknown toxin that causes renal failure in large aniamls
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2
Q

Besides soluble oxalates, what toxins does Lamb’s quarter (chenopodium album) accumulate?

A

Selenium, Nitrate, Soluble oxalates

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3
Q

What species is the most susceptible to soluble oxalate poisoning?

A

Sheep!

Cattle too

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4
Q

Where are potassium and sodium oxalates found?

A

Household and industrial produces like rust removers, bleaches, and tanning compounds

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5
Q

What organisms can produce their own soluble oxalates?

A

Fungi (Aspergillus and Penicillium) - this will increase their toxicity

*ethylene glycol in small animals and poultry - calcium oxalate monohydrate

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6
Q

What are some plants that contain large amounts of soluble oxalates?

A
Pigweed
Beet
Lamb's quaters
Halogeton
Sorrel, soursop
Rhubarb
Greasewood
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7
Q

What conditions in sheep will increase soluble oxalate toxicity?

A

Starvation or water deprivation/dehydrated

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8
Q

What is the toxicity dose of soluble oxalates in sheep?

A

0.55% of body weight

when starved or water deprived - 0.1% of body weight

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9
Q

T/F: Rumen microflora can detoxify oxalates to carbonates and bicarbonates

A

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

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10
Q

In what part of the plant is the highest concentration of oxalates?

A

The leaves

followed by the seeds and then the stems

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11
Q

What will slow absorption of soluble oxalates in the rumen?

A

The presence of food will decrease the rate of absorption

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12
Q

T/F: Large amounts of oxalate over a short period time is more toxic than smaller doses for a longer duration of time

A

TRUE

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13
Q

What mineral in the diet will decrease toxicity of soluble oxalates?

A

Calcium

a calcium rich diet will bind with soluble oxalates making insoluble calcium oxalate which is not absorbed and excreted in the feces

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14
Q

What happens to soluble oxalates once they are absorbed in the blood?

A

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

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15
Q

What clinical signs will be noted in a patient with soluble oxalate poisoning?

A

onset of signs is a few hours:

  1. initial signs = GI; hypocalcemia - colic, dullness, depression, muscle twitching, weakness, prostration, coma, rapid breathing and blood tinged froth from mouth, +/- death
  2. Renal signs come later - oliguria, depression, hyperkalemia, and cardiac failure

if patient survives - chronic tubular nephrosis and polyuria

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16
Q

What lesions are associated with soluble oxalate poisoing?

A
  • plant may be present in the rumen
  • excess fluid in abd/thorax
  • petechial hemorrhages of the GIT
  • emphysema of the lungs; blood tinged froth in mouth/esophagus
  • Kidneys will have dark red cortex and medulla with grey line of accumulated Ca oxalate crystals in the renal tubles
17
Q

What lab diagnostic is specific for soluble oxalate toxicosis?

A

Ca oxalate crystals in the renal tubules - have a polarizing rosette shape

hypocalcemia
high BUN

18
Q

What treatment is recommended for soluble oxalate poisoning?

A

Tx is of little value - sheep are usually culled if they don’t die first

activated charcoal or lime water - adsorption
Ca gkuconate IV
Saline-glucose - tx alkalosis and cause diuresis + IVF
supp. of Ca salts (dicalcium phosphate) or Ca rich diet is protective

**prevention is key