Toxicology Flashcards
What is toxicology? (fyi)
The scientific study of the adverse effects of chemical, physical, or biological agents on living organisms and the environment
It involves understanding how these substances cause harm, determining safe exposure levels, and developing methods to detect and mitigate their effects.
How do toxins enter an organism?
and what happens afterwards
- Inhalation (mouth/nose to lungs)
- Ingestion (mouth to stomach)
- Damaged skin (cuts/punctures in the skin)
- Dermal absorption (through the skins, no need to have cuts)
it will travel to the circulation. toxic can cause acute (hrs) or chronic effect. (days)
IIDD
What are the general effects of toxins?, what are the organs that are affected
- Dermatotoxic : skin
- Haemotoxic : blood
- Hepatotoxic : liver
- Nephrotoxic : kidney
- Neurotoxic : nervous system-brain, spinal chord and nerves
- Pulmonotoxic: lung
are the effects of toxins reversable or irreversbale
can be both, depends on patient factor (eg any underlying diseases), toxin dose
what are common parameters using in toxicology and what do that mean
- TD (50) The dose in mg/kg that will result in the development of symptoms of toxicity in 50% of the population. (what we refer to when talkin about toxicity)
2, LD(50) The dose in mg/kg that will result in the death in 50% of the population.
what is the irreverable type of effect toxins and thier consequences
1.carcinogen-> cause cancer
2.mutagen-> cause chromosomal damage
3.reproductive hazard-> damage to the reproductive system (female have difficulty carrying baby to tern/abortion/miscarriage)
4.teratogen-> intefers with fetal developement (can cuase congenital abnormalities)
My Caca Required Touching (MCRT)
What factors affect the severity of toxicity?
- Dose and type of toxin ingested
- Time since ingestion
- Current symptoms of toxicity
When in doubt, all suspected toxin ingestions should be treated as an emergency. cleint should be adviced to bring the pet in to be seen by vet (to get medical treatment)
what to do if client calls in with suspected toxin ingestion (triage)
asking client and patient info: names and phone number, weight, age,pet currently on meds/have any underlying health issues
abt the toxin/drug- name, strength, activre ingredient (better if they can bring the wrapper in-to see active ingredient) , how much u think htey ingested, how long ago? (see if can induce vomitting)
symptoms: showing any symptoms?
how long has he been showing
what are some advice we can prvide to the client
- check that we are the nearest clinic (for safety of the patient)
our clinic busy, not equipt.far, assisnt client to locate the next nearest clinic - as them to bring their pet in ASAP to seek medical attention
- assure that clinic team will be updated and awaiting their irrival. (they will come in ASAP, feel more secured.heard) (also can let them know once they come in the pet emmediately taken to treatment room for examination treatment)
4, ask if there is someone that can accompony the client (esp if they upset, provide support(
Whatto do when patient arrival for suspected toxin ingestion?
1.Confirm the identity of the patient (names) (its gonna be quite frantic)
- ask for permission to bring the patient into the treatment room for initial assessment and emmergency treatment. (better to inform them before hand)
3,reception should remain with the client and registet the patient (can follow into consult room also)
4.direct clinet to an empty conslt room if availabe (client might be loud/ emotion, dont want to distrurb the’ other patients and clients)
5, gather any other information to complete the medical hostory
- assure the client that the vet will update them ASAP
what happens when patient is in the treatment room
1,Perform ABCs and treat any life-threatening problems. eg
airway: check they can breathe, clear airway, sufficient circulation?
-respiratory difficulties ( need to give 02)
-seizure ( give anti sizure meds?)
-heart arythmias
2.place iv cath, ontain patient samples (blood, urine, fecal) and database (physcial examinatio, vitals: HR,BR,MM,temp)
3, decontamination (if toxin eaten recently,eg induced vomitting to get out as much toxins as possible)
- promote excretion (bind, cannot be ansorbed in the bloodstream-feaces) or metabolism (into less harmful) to a non-toxic compound (eg activated charcoal/anti venom)
- administer antidoete if avail (eg snake antivenome)
- provide supportive care
What is the purpose of inducing vomiting in cases of toxin ingestion?
A form of decontamination that removes the physical toxin from the stomach.
What is the time frame for inducing vomiting to be effective?
1-2 hours after toxin ingestion. (toxin is in the stomach)
can cleint induce vomitting by themselves at home and why?
cannot, should only be done why a trained individual due to risk of aspiration
what drugs can be given to induce vomitting
dogs: apomorphine (injectable via catheter/to mucous membrane (eh conjunctiva in eye) -drug works very fast, later on can stop the vomitting using other drugs
cats: xylazine
what other methof can be used uf inducing vomitting is not suitable/ineffective
bc injected too long, too much toxin, patient showing other symptoms that make vomitting dangerous)
- gastric lavage (under anestesia, flush GI tract)
- Enema (flush GI tract from colon)
True or False: All suspected toxin ingestions should be treated as an emergency.
True.
What is the active ingredient responsible for chocolate toxicity?
Theobromine
Theobromine is toxic to certain animals, particularly dogs and cats. toxic dose is 20mg/kg.im to know what type of chocolate it is, if they are coming, bring the wrapper
What gastrointestinal symptoms can occur due to theobromine toxicity?
Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea
Theobromine irritates the stomach and intestines.
symptoms of theobromine toxicity?
GI: abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea (Irritates stomach and intestine)
Restlessness, hyperexcitability, agitation (cause reduced sedation, overstimulation)
Ataxia (poor muscle control), tremors, seizures (sezures affect the heart)
Tachycardia, panting, arrhythmias (increaseHR,BR)
Hyperthermia (from seizure/tremors)
PU/PD (theobromine cause increase renal blood flow)
Gi,heart,excitability tremors.seizures,hyperthermia, renal
These symptoms result from overstimulation of the nervous system.
What cardiovascular symptoms can arise from theobromine toxicity?
Tachycardia, panting, arrhythmias
What treatment can be administered if theobromine toxicity
Induced emesis if safe, consumed within 1-2 hrs (removing as much choloclate as possible)
Administration of active charcoal, repeated as
necessary (charcoal bind to toxin, cannot exert effect)
Active cooling & fluid therapy (hyperthermia due to tremors)
Medication to correct hypotension and arrhythmias (despite fast HR-ineffective profusion to tissues
What is the prognosis for pets with theobromine toxicity?
Most pets recover
Guarded prognosis if seizures or arrhythmias are present.
What common human medication can lead to accidental poisoning in pets?
NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen)
These medications are commonly used for humans and can be dangerous to animals.
what is the effect of NSAIDs on the animals body
inhibits prostaglandins: blocks mucous production (mucus protect stomach form acidity) in the stomach which causes GI inflammation stomach ulcers.
-affects blood flow to kidney (decrease) -> renal toxicity (cannot filter out)
(prostaglandins control mucus production and blood flow to kidney)
toxic dose: 50-100mg/kg
What are some symtoms of NSAID toxicity?
GI: vomiting, diarrhoea, blood in stool (loss of mucos barrier -ulcers, inflammation, bleeding)
Renal failure: fever, anaemia, (kindey play function in stimulating RBC production) anorexia(go off thier food), Dehydration , PU/PD (effect of dehydration)
(prostaglandins control blood flow to kidneys)
Neurological signs (rly bad cases): agitation, hyperacitivity,tremors, seizure, coma death
treatment of NSAID toxicity
Induced vomiting
Charcoal administration for recent ingestion
Gastric protectant medication (to protect stomach, cos no mucos produced to do so, this med acts as the mucos or reduce acidity of the stomach-> less likely to cause ulcers)
Fluid therapy (flush any toxins,dehydration), monitor urine output, monitor renal function (blood test)
no actual tratment to neutralise NSAIDs
prognosis of NSAID toxicity
Dose dependent
(very high-bad) (for recovery, 1-2 tablets can save but need to check kidney function by doing bloof test monthly till normalise
What is the mechanism of anticoagulant rodenticides?
Inhibit vitamin K recycling
Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting.
When do clinical signs typically appear after exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides?
3-5 days
Symptoms are usually not immediately apparent.
What are some symptoms of anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity?
presence of bait in feaces (discoloration- red/blue-usually the way the find out abt the toxicity)
-Sudden onset of weakness and depression (blood loss)
-External bleeding (not always apparent)
-Pale mm
-Bruising
-cough (blood in lungs/airway)
-black tarry faeces (melaena) -bleeding in the Gi tract)
These signs are related to blood loss and clotting issues.
What diagnostic tests are used to assess coagulation after rodenticide exposure?
Prothrombin time (PT),
activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), activated clotting time (ACT)
All these tests will show prolonged results in cases of anticoagulant toxicity. (cos affect vitamin K-cannot clot properly)
What treatment is necessary for anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity?
decontamination: inducing emesis, activated charcoal (when able able to sit up/eat)
Vitamin K1 supplementation (the rodencide prevent vitamin k recycling) ( tablet med is wuite ex, must stay on for abt a mont and repeat of coaggluation test till normal before stoping meds)
Supportive care: IV fluids, blood transfusions (keep in hosp-for rehydration, maintain BP)
what is the purpose and colour of rodenticide
-management of rodents as pets (kill them)
-usually coloured (blue/red
