Toxicities Flashcards
Which plant causes atypical myopathy in horses?
Sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus)
First described in horses in the UK in 1988 and in the USA in 2006. Contains hypoglycin A.
What are the symptoms of atypical myopathy in horses?
Pallow, tremors, weakness, dyspnoea, arrhythmia, collapse, myoglobinuria
Myoglobinuria results in dark red-black urine.
Red maple toxicity in horses is associated with which conditions?
- Ataxia
- Atypical myopathy
- Gastric ulceration
- Laminitis
*Nephrosis
Nephrosis
What are the main compounds associated with red maple toxicity (Acer rubrum)?
Tannins —> gallic acid → pyrogallol
Microbial conversion of leads to nephrotoxic and haemolytic effects.
Which plant causes laminitis in horses?
Black walnut (Juglans nigra)
Exposure may be due to contaminated bedding shavings; may also cause limb edema and/or mild pyrexia
What type of toxin does Crotalaria spp. possess?
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Sunn hemp/Indian hemp (Crotalaria juncea) is found in Florida.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicity is caused by chronic ingestion of which of the following plants:
A) Astragalus spp. (locoweed)
B) Lupinus spp. (lupine)
C) Nerium spp. (oleander)
D) Senecio spp. (ragwort)
E) Persea spp. (avocado)
D) Senecio spp. (ragwort)
Liver failure, hepatic encephalopathy
What is the pathogenesis of pyrrolizidine alkaloidosis?
Megalocytosis, degenerative hepatopathy, fibrosis/cirrhosis, liver failure
Failure to detoxify nitrogenous products increases blood ammonia concentrations.
What is the most toxic part of the oak plant (Quercus spp.)?
Young buds, leaves (spring), and green acorns (autumn/fall)
All parts can be toxic, but these are the most toxic.
What is the toxin responsible for lily poisoning in cats?
Unknown toxic principle present in flower petals and leaves
Toxic at 1.5 and 2.5 g wet weight of homogenized lily flower petals per kg body weight.
Which toxic plant results in acute death?
- Milkweed
- Moldy sweet clover
- Bracken fern
- Ragwort
- Locoweed
What is the toxic dose of grapes for dogs?
Grapes ~19 g/kg; Raisins ~3 g/kg
Many dogs can eat grapes/raisins without toxicity.
What type of poisoning is caused by melamine in dogs?
Melamine-uric acid urolithiasis
Caused by contamination of dog food to increase apparent protein content.
What photosensitizing agent is responsible for oedema in sheep grazing on certain plants?
Phylloerythrin
Associated with grazing on Sorghum halepense (Johnson grass) and Tetradymia spp.
What is the photosensitising agent responsible for the condition observed in the flock of sheep grazing on Sorghum halepense?
Phylloerythrin
Photosensitisation can occur due to the ingestion of certain plants leading to the accumulation of photosensitising agents like phylloerythrin.
Which plant is most likely to have caused the clinical signs in a two-year-old Angus cow with weakness and a staggering gait?
Pinus ponderosa
Symptoms include slow and irregular heart rate, dilated pupils, and a distinctive odor in breath and urine.
What clinical signs were observed in the four-day-old foal presented for examination?
Depression, icterus, head pressing, disorientation
These signs can indicate liver dysfunction or toxicity.
What were the increased serum biochemistry levels in the four-day-old foal?
Gamma-glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, unconjugated bilirubin
Elevated levels suggest liver damage or biliary obstruction.
What could the oral nutritional supplement given to the foal at one day old have contained to cause its clinical signs?
Copper
Copper toxicity can lead to liver damage and associated clinical signs in foals.
Fill in the blank: A flock of sheep has been grazing on Sorghum halepense and __________, leading to photosensitisation.
Tetradymia spp.
Tetradymia spp. is also known as horsebrush, which can cause similar effects.
True or False: The breath and urine of the affected Angus cow smelled like mouse urine.
True
This specific odor can indicate particular plant poisonings.
What is a common symptom of poisoning from Veratrum spp. in livestock?
Staggering gait
This plant can cause neurological symptoms among other clinical signs.
Yellow star thistle (Centaurea solstitialis) can lead to Nigropallidal encephalomalacia (NPEM) in horses, also known as “______________ disease”.
Chewing disease
Symptoms include difficulty swallowing/chewing, progressive weight loss, abnormal gait, lethargy/weakness, head-pressing, circling
