Toxicities Flashcards
What can neuroexcitatory toxins cause in:
A) CNS?
B) PNS?
A) CNS: hyperexcitability, seizures, ataxia
B) PNS: muscles tremors and fasciculation
What can neuroinhibitory toxins cause in:
A) CNS?
B) PNS?
A) CNS: obtundation, stupour, coma
B) PNS: weakness, flaccid paralysis
How can you decontaminate gastrointestinally absorbed toxins?
–Emesis (within 2 hrs from ingestion) in alert patients
–Gastric lavage (within 2 hrs from ingestion) in subdue/comatose animals. Has to be done under GA and extreme care taken to protect airways
–Activated charcoal 1-5g/kg every 6-8 hrs for up to 24 hrs. In alert patients!
–Colonic lavage and cathartics
How can you decontaminate a cutaneous toxin?
–Bath, in stable patients
How can you decontaminate an inhaled toxin?
–Ventilation (mechanical in severe cases)
How can you decontaminate if an animal was exposed to a lipophilic substance?
Lipid infusion (Intralipid®), if exposure to lipophilic substances, acts as lipid sink. Bolus of 2mg/kg, followed by CRI of 4mg/kg/hr for 4 hrs
Name 6 neuroexcitatory toxins (8)
- Ivermectin and macrolide parasiticides
- Metaldehyde
- Methylxanthines
- Organophosphate and carbamates
- Permethrin
- Mycotoxines
- Strychnine
- Lead
How can Ivermectin, moxidectin, selamectin, milbemycin cause toxicity after ingestion? (3)
–Large-animals deworming products or contaminated faeces
–Iatrogenic by overdosing or wrong route or administration (ie per os instead of topic)
–Care with collie breeds (MDR1 mutation)
How does Ivermectin and macrolide parasiticides cause toxicity?
- Mechanism of action –> agonist at the GABAA-gated chloride channels in the CNS
- Initial neuroexcitation, followed at high doses by flaccid paralysis and coma
What is the toxicity of Ivermectin and macrolide parasiticides in:
A) Susceptible breeds?
B) Other breeds?
C) Cats?
A) 0.1mg/kg
B) 2.5mg/kg
C) 0.3-1.3mg/kg sc
What is the half life of Ivermectin and macrolide parasiticides?
2-19 days
How is Ivermectin and macrolide parasiticides toxicity diagnosed?
History
What is the clinical presentation of Ivermectin and macrolide parasiticides toxicity?
–Ataxia
–Lethargy
–Tremors
–Mydriasis
–Blindness
–Hypersalivation
–Disorientation
–Seizures
–Weakness
–Stupor
–Coma
–Respiratory failure
How can we manage Ivermectin and macrolide parasiticides toxicity?
–Emesis
–Activated charcoal
–Lipid infusion
–Phenobarbital for seizure control or propofol CRI if not responding
What is the prognosis of Ivermectin and macrolide parasiticides toxicity?
Dose related - can be guarded. Long recovery.
What is found in slug and snail baits which causes toxicity?
Metaldehyde
What is the mechanism of toxicity for metaldehyde?
•Mechanism of action
–Reduces levels of GABA (reduced inhibition à means excitation)
–Reduces levels of noradrenaline and serotonin
=Pro-convulsive effect
What are the clinical signs of metaldehyde?
–Anxiety
–Muscle tremors
–Fasciculations
–Ataxia
–Seizures
–Tachypnoea
–Tachycardia
–Hyperthermia
= HEAT STROKE
How do you diagnose metaldehyde toxicity?
History
How do you manage metaldehye toxicity?
–Emesis or gastric lavage
–Activated charcoal
–Benzodiazepine/phenobarbital (muscle tremors and seizures)
–Propofol infusion (severe cases of refractory seizures)
–Monitor body temperature!!!
What is the prognosis of metaldehyde toxicity?
Good if prompt intervention
What are caffeine, thoebromine (chocolate), theophylline?
Methylxanthines
What is the mechanism of action of Methylxanthines toxicity?
–Causes elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP, this results in increase in intracellular CA++ = neuromuscular excitability and inoptropic effect
–Competitive inhibition of adenosine receptors = CNS stimulation
With caffeine and theobromine:
A) When do you have clinical signs?
B) When do you have seizures?
A) 20mg/kg
B) 60mg/kg
What are the clinical signs within 1-2 hours of ingestion of Methylxanthines?
–Restlessness
–Hyperactivity
–V+ve and D+ve
–Tachycardia/tachypnoea
–Polyuria
–Muscles twitching
–Seizures (tonic or tetanic)
–Hyperthermia
How do you diagnose Methylxanthines ingestion?
History
How do you manage Methylxanthines toxicity?
–Emesis/activated charcoal
–Control ventricular arrhythmias (lidocaine, procainamide, Ca channel blockers, B blockers)
–Control muscle tremors and seizures with benzodiazepines (diazepam)
–Control temperature
What is the prognosis if Methylxanthines are ingested?
Good if early treatment