Toxicities

Question 1

Brown chocolate blood is found on post-mortem examination. What 2 toxicities is this associated with?

Answer 1

Brassicas (Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, turnips)

Nitrate/nitrite poisoning

Question 2

How do animals get lead poisoning?

Answer 2

Ingesting soil or other sources of lead

Question 3

Acute lead poisoning is found in what age cattle? What are the signs?

Answer 3

Young calves

Neuro signs - convulsions, opisthotonus

Question 4

Subacute lead poisoning is found in what age cattle and sheep? What are the clinical signs?

Answer 4

Adult cattle and sheep

Neuro signs and GI signs (luminal atony, stasis, recumbency)

Question 5

Chronic lead poisoning is most common in what age sheep?

Answer 5

Lambs

With access to soils high in lead

Question 6

What does chronic lead poisoning cause in lambs?

Answer 6

Ill thrift and gait abnormalities

Lameness and paralysis due to fractures (osteoporosis)

Question 7

A young calf is found death in a field after having convulsions and opisthotonus. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer 7

Acute lead poisoning

Question 8

How is lead poisoning diagnosed?

Answer 8

Kidney biopsy (gold standard)
Lead in blood over >0.45umol

Question 9

How can lead poisoning be treated?

Answer 9

Chelation therapy (inject EDTA into blood to remove)
Thiamine
Supportive therapy
Rumenectomy

Question 10

How is copper poisoning diagnosed?

Answer 10

Post-mortem

Pale jaundiced carcase, pale tan liver, dark red kidneys, black/red urine

Question 11

How is copper poisoning treated?

Answer 11

Supportive therapy

Copper antagonists - molybdenum or sulphur

Question 12

Excess selenium supplementation causes acute toxicosis. How is this diagnosed?

Answer 12

Elevated selenium in liver, heart, kidneys (GSHPx?)
Subcutaneous haemorrhages, straw coloured fluid in pericardium
NO TREATMENT

Question 13

What species are most affected by anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning?

Answer 13

Pigs

Question 14

A pig presents with anaemia, weakness and haemorrhage, but the temperature is normal. What is your most likely diagnosis?

Answer 14

Anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning

Question 15

Nitrate and nitrate poisoning is due to excessive intake of nitrate. Some plants such as Docks, Sorrels and Fat hen have too high nitrate. What are the clinical signs?

Answer 15

Due to lack of oxygen:
Cyanosis, tachypnoea, weak or rapid pulse
Chocolate brown discoloured blood

Question 16

How is nitrate/nitrite poisoning treated?

Answer 16

Methylene blue IV

Question 17

Botulism is a flaccid paralysis associated with Clostridium botulinum. What is the source of this microorganism?

Answer 17

Poultry litter/carcasses

Question 18

Is there a treatment for botulism?

Answer 18

No

Question 19

Aflatoxins are caused by Aspergillus fungi and are carcinogenic. What feed has the highest risk of contamination?

Answer 19

Corn

Question 20

Zearalenone is a mycotoxin by Fusarium and is most common in pigs. What is the most common clinical signs?

Answer 20

Hyperoestrogenism - hyperaemia, swelling of vulva, nymphomania

Question 21

Which plants cause pyrrolizidine alkaloids? What organ do they mainly affect?

Answer 21

Ragwort, Fireweed

Liver - hepatotoxic

Question 22

Bracken poisoning has what effect on the bladder and eyes?

Answer 22

Enzootic haematuria and bladder tumours in cattle

Bright blindness in sheep (retinal degeneration)

Question 23

A sheep is found vomiting. What is the most likely toxicity?

Answer 23

Rhododendron

Question 24

Acorns and oak cause toxicity due to the ingestion of phenols and tannins. Which species is more resistant to acorns/oak and can be used to clear the fields?

Answer 24

Pigs

Question 25

Which plants cause photosensitisation leading erythema, swelling, and sunburn?

Answer 25

St John’s Wort

Ragwort