Toxicology Flashcards
Neurotoxicoses, hepatotoxicoses, Renal, GI, Cardiorespiratory and Haemtologic toxicosis
What are the two main goals of decontamination?
- Prevention of systemic absorption
- Enhancing elimination
What are the methods of decontamination?
- Oral decontamination
- Enemas
- Ocular decontamination
- Dermal decontamination
- Inhalant decontamination
- Advanced elimination
What are the methods of oral decontamination?
- Dilution
- Emesis
- Activated charcol
- Cholestramine
What are the methods of dermal decontamination?
Bathing and clipping
What are the methods of advanced elimination?
- Intravenous lipid emulsion
- Therapeutic plasma exchange
- Haemodialysis and charcoal haemoperfusion
How is oral decontamination used in the management of toxicosis?
It is used to:
1. Prevent systemic absorption of orally ingested toxicants
2. To make a toxin less irritating or corrosive
3. To enhance elimination of toxicants
When should oral decontamination be avoided in case of toxin exposure?
When a patient is unable to protects its airways.
What is the purpose of dilution in cases of toxin exposure?
Used to decrease oral and gastric irritation
What is the dose rate of dilution?
2ml/kg PO milk or water in a bowl or via syringe
When is dilution indicated in toxin exposure?
In cases of ingestion or petrol, corrosive or caustic agents and plants containing insoluble calcium oxaletes
The calcium in milk may also be of benefit in decreasing absorption of some toxicants including fluroquinalones, fluroide, tetracyclines and bisphosphonate.
What is the purpose of emesis in cases of toxin exposure?
To remove ingested toxins from the stomach
What percentage of stomach contents are expected to be recovered following emesis?
40-60%
What time frame is emesis recovery most likely to be successful?
30-90 minutes following ingestion
When is emesis contraindicated?
In cases of ingestion or caustic substances or petrol or if the patient is at high risk of aspiration.
What are the common medications used to induced emesis in dogs?
- Apomorphine at 0.03mg/kg IV , SC or in the conjunctival sac - centrally acting
- Ropinirole eye drops which act by stimulating the dopamine receptors in the CRTZ
- 3% hydrogen peroxide at 0.5ml/kg PO up to 50ml total dose, can be repeated after 10mins if no vomiting has occured
What are the common medications used to induced emesis in cats?
- Dexmedetomidine 7mcg/kg IV
- Xylazine 0.44 mg/kg IM
Additional motion can also be used in combination
Why can’t hydrogen peroxide not be used in cats?
Can induce necroulcerative haemorrhage gastritis
What is the purpose of activated charcoal?
To prevent absorption of toxins in the gastrointestinal tract
When should activated charcoal be used in cases of intoxication?
Should be considered in pets with recent toxin exposure that are still in the gastrointestinal tract or toxins that undergo enterohepatic recirculation
What should the first dose of activated charcoal be given with?
A cathartic such as sorbitol
In which cases should multiple dose of activated charcoal be given?
In some cases (not all) of toxins that undergo enterohepatic recirculation, these follow up dose should be given at half the initial dose and without a cathartic.
Which toxins is activated charcoal ineffective?
- heavy metal
- corrosive materials
- hydrocarbons
- fluroide
- xylitol
- ethanol
- petrol
What is the main risk of administering activated charcoal?
Life threating hypernatraemia
What are the risk factors of developement of hypernatraemia in causes of intoxication?
- Small animals
- Dehydration
- Ingestion of osmotically active substances e.g. chocolate, paintballs or soft chew medications/supplements
How should a patient be handled/monitored after activated charcoal administration?
- Monitoring or serum sodium
- IVFT
- FA to water
How does activated charcoal, paintballs, chocolate and soft chew medications cause hypernatraemia?
Because of the osmotic effects of activated charcoal, the cathartic present in activated charcoal, or both it draw free water out and into the GI tract resulting in hypernatraemic dehydration.
What are the signs of hypernatraemia?
Neurological signs e.g. tremors, seizures secondary to cerebral odema. GI signs. Lethargy.
How is activated charcoal induced hypernatraemia treated?
Since it is an acute onset this can be correctly quickly.
1. Resuscitating or hydration with LRS
2. Then IVFT 0.45% saline solution with 2.5% dextrose at a rate of 40 ml/hour (92 ml/kg/day).
3. Diazepam (0.5-1 mg/kg intravenously) and/or methocarbamol (75 mg/kg intravenously) to control the tremors.
4. Warm water enemas
Why is a 0.45% saline solution combined 2.5% dextrose used to treat acute hypernatraemia?
when we are administering 0.45% NaCL + 2.5% dextrose, that extra 2.5% dextrose is mixed in to the 500 ml bag to make the fluid isosmolar. Giving 0.45% NaCL ALONE is contraindicated, as it’s not an isotonic fluid (it’s osmolality is only 154 mEq/L) Our normal body’s osmolality is approximately 300 mosml/L, so we should always give a fluid that is approximately 300 mosm/L (any balanced, isotonic fluid is usually 300 mosm/L). That extra dextrose increases the osmolality of a bag of 0.45%NaCL to approximately 300 mosm/L, making it a safe fluid to give. That dextrose is also metabolized by cells and provides free water to the patient, helping to lower the sodium in the body.
What is the action of cholestyramine?
Binds to bile acids in the intestines forming an insoluble complex and is excreted in the faeces.
When is cholestyramine indicated?
It is used off-label is cases of cholecalciferol, sago palm, blue green algae and NSAIDs.
What is the dose of cholestyramine?
0.3-1g/kg PO q8
What is the amount used for warm water enema?
5-10ml/kg
How is ocular decontamination performed?
Large quantities of flush (eye wash or artificial tears) for 20-30mins.
What is intravenous lipid emulsion?
It is a sterile emulsion of soybean, oil, egg phospholipids and glycerins.
When is intravenous lipid emulsion therapy indicated?
It is used in the treatment of severe lipophilic intoxications e.g.
- bupivicaine and other local anaethetics
- moxidectin
- ivermectin
- calcium channel blockers
- baclofen
- permethrin
- THC
- ibuprofen
What is the dose regime for intravenous lipid emulsion therapy?
Use a 20% lipid solution with an initial bolus of 1.5ml/kg IV followed by 0.25ml/kg/min for 30-60 minutes. Doses can be repeated q4-6hrs if the patient is still showing clinical signs and the patient is no longer lipaemic (lipaemia occurs as a side effect of ILE therapy).
What are the side effects of intravenous lipid emulsion therapy?
- Hypertriglyceridaemia
- Volume overload
- Persistent and gross lipaemia
- Corneal lipidosis
What is therapeutic plasma exchange?
it has been used on veterminary medicine to remove toxicants with high protein binding and low volume of distribution. It removed a patients plasma and associated protein bound toxin and replaces it with new plasma.
In what cases can therapeutic plasma exchange be used?
Been suggested for NSAIDs
What are the potential sides effects of therapeutic plasma exchange?
- hypotension
- bleeding
- clot formation
- sepsis
- allergic reaction
What are the indications for acepromazine in cases of toxicosis?
Agitation and hypertension
What is the dose of acepromazine?
0.05-0.1mg/kg IV
What is atipamezole used for in cases of toxicosis? What are the indications?
Toxicosis with amitraz, xylazine, dexmedetomidine, brimonidine, clonidine and tizanidine
Sedation, bradycardia, hypotension
What is the dose of atipamezole?
50 mcg/kg IM
What is atropine used for in cases of toxicosis? What are the indications?
Organophosphates and carbomates, solanum spp, clitocybe and inocyte mushrooms.
Indications: Bradycardia, AV block, SLUDGE - M signs.
What are SLUDGE-M signs?
Salivation
Lacrimation
Urination
Defecation / Diarrhea
Gastrointestinal upset
Emesis
Miosis and muscle spasms
What are the indications for cyproheptadine in causes of toxicosis?
Serotonin syndrome
What are the indications for levetiracetam in causes of toxicosis?
seizures
What are the indications of methocarbamol in cases of toxicosis?
Generalised muscle tremors
What is the dose of methocarbamol?
55-220 mg/kg slow IV titrated to effect
When is propanolol indicated?
It’s a beta blocker used in cases of albuterol intoxication resulting in sinus tachycardia
When is pyridoxine indicated?
Isoniazid and gyromitra mushroom intoxication when causing seizures. Also an adjustive therapy for etheylene glycol intoxication
When is vitamin K indicated?
Known or suspected exposure to an anticoagulant or prolonged coagulation values
What is the dose of vitmain K?
1.5 - 2.5 mg/kg PO q12 for 7-30 days
How do we known when to discontinue vit K therapy?
check pt 60-72 hours after last dose of vit K to ensure continued treatment is not required.
What are the side effects of vit K?
Can cause anaphylaxis
What are the indications for yohimbine?
Same as atipamezole.
What is the mechanism of action of aminopyridine (avitrol)?
Blocks potassium channels and increased acetylcholine release
What are the clinical signs of aminopyridine intoxication?
Weakness, hypersalivation, vomiting, dyspnoea, tachycardia, tremors and seizures.
How do you treat aminopyridine intoxication?
Supportive care.
What is the mechanism of action of 5-fluorouracil?
Chemo drug - neuro signs possibly due to disruption of the krebs cycle or inhibition of gaba production.
What are the signs of 5-fluorouracil intoxication?
vomiting, altered mentation, ataxia, tremors or seizures. BM suppression in 2-4 weeks.
How is 5-fluorouracil treated?
Supportive. Levetiracetam for seizures.
What is the mechanism of neurotoxicosis of 5-hydroxytryptophan?
Increased production of serotonin.
What are the clinical signs of 5-hydroxytryptophan?
Serotonin syndrome
What do products with 5-hydroxytryptophan commonly contain?
xylitol
What are the signs of serotonin syndrome?
CNS stimulation, vomiting, tremoring, seizures, hyperthermia (secondary to tremoring and seizuring), diarrhea, abdominal pain, and mydriasis
What is the mechanism of neurotoxicosis of acetylcholinesterase insecticides e.g. organophosphates and carbamol?
Inhibits acetylcholinesterase
What are the signs of organophophate or carbamol intoxication?
SLUDGE signs
What is the mechanism of neurotoxicosis of alcohols?
Enhances inhibitor effects of gaba and inhibits glycine binding
What is the treatment of alcohol intoxication?
Naloxone, atipamezole or yohimbine may reverse CNS depression; haemodialysis.
What is the mechanism of neurotoxicosis of a2 agonist intoxication?
Potentiates a2 adrenergic receptors to inhibit the release of noradrenaline
What is the treatment of a2 agonist intoxication?
atipamezole or yohimbine
What is the mechanism of neurotoxicosis of amphetamines/MDMA intoxicosis?
Sympathomimetic result in adrenaline release and serotonin release resulting in hypertension, tachycardia, CNS excitation, seizure, hyperthermia etc.
What is the treatment of amphetamines/MDMA intoxicosis?
- Acepromazine for agitation
- Propanolol for inappropriate and persistent sinus tachycardia
Why should benzos be avoided in causes of amphetamine and MDMA intoxication?
As it can cause paradoxical excitation
What is the mechanism of neurotoxicosis of MAO inhibitors (selegiline)?
Inhibits serotonin breakdown by inhibiting MAO resulting in serotonin syndrome
What is the mechanism of neurotoxicosis of SSRI intoxication?
Inhibits serotonin reuptake and some also inhibit noradrenaline results in serotonin syndrome
What is the treatment for anti-depressant intoxication include MAO inhibitor and SSRIS?
cyproheptadoine and acepromazine for their anti-serotonin effects
Propanolol for persistent sinus tachycardia
ILE may be effective
What is the treatment of TCA intoxication?
Titrate pH to 7.55 with IV sodium bicarbonate
What is the mechanism of neurotoxicosis of baclofen iontoxication?
It is a centrally acting muscle relaxant, it is a gaba b agonist that binds to both the pre and post synaptic receptors results in CNS and respiratory depression, paralysis of muscles arrhythmias hyotension and seizures
How is baclofen intoxication treated?
ventilatory support and haeodialysis
What is the mechanism of neurotoxicosis of barbiturate intoxication?
Activated gaba a receptors, inhibits glutamate receptors and inhibits the release of noradrenaline and acetylocholine
What is the treatment of action of barbiturate intoxication?
supportive/ILE
What is the mechanism of neurotoxicosis of benzodiazepines?
activates gaba a receptors
What is the treatment of benzodiazepine intoxication?
Flumazenil
What is the mechanism of neurotoxicosis of bromethalin (type of rat poision)?
uncouple oxidative phosphorylation in neurol and glial cell mitochondria resulting in fluid accummulatgion within myelin results in neuro signs
What is the treatment of bromethalin (type of rat poison) intoxication?
Decontamination is most important
What is the mechanism of neurotoxicosis of bupropion (anti-depressant)?
Inhibits reuptake of dopamine and noradrenaline and antagonises nicotine acetylcholine receptors
What is the treatment of bupropion (anti-depressant) intoxication?
supportive, ILE
What is the treatment of cannibis intoxication?
supportive, ILE
What is the mechanim of neurotoxicosis of carbon monoxide intoxication?
Binds to haemohglobin reducing oxygen carrying capacity
What is the mechanism of neurotoxicosis of cocaine intoxication?
CNS stimulant, block reuptake of noradrenaline and serotonin