Toxicology Flashcards
paracetamol
v.dangerous to cats - lackmetaboliccapacitytodetoxify paracetamol
Toxicityoccursviasaturationofmetabolic pathways
Toxicmetaboliteconjugatedby glutathione
Glutathionepromptlydepleted
paracetamol toxicity - clinical signs - early <4h
Progressivecyanosis
Brown/Bluemucousmembranes
Weakness&lethargy
paracetamol toxicity - clinical signs - 4-24h
Facial&PawOedema
Vomiting
Depression
Darkbrownblood‐ Methaemoglobinemia
paracetamol toxicity - clinical signs - the days after
SevereMethaemoglobinemia
Hepaticnecrosis
paracetamol‐ Methaemoglobinaemia
blue or brown mucousmembranes
arterial blood is chocolatebrown in colour and remains
dark on aeration
Cyanosis fails to respond to oxygen therapy
paracetamol‐ treatment
Emesis(vomiting) Dogs:Apomorphine Cats:Xylazine ActivatedCharcoal Antidote:Acetylcysteine (Parvolex ®) Precursorofglutathione
paracetamol - monitoring
1 week liver function blood clotting renal function total blood count
NSAIDs - clincal signs - early
Gastrointestinalerosion,ulcerationandpossibly
perforation.
Vomitinganddiarrhoea(bothmaybebloody).
RarelyCNSsymptoms(ataxia,lethargy,drowsiness)
NSAIDs - clincal signs - late
Renalfailure
Hepaticimpairment
NSAIDs - treatment
emesis activated charcoal gastric ulcer prevention - H2receptorantagonists, Protonpumpinhibitors, Ulcerhealing/coatingagent Prostaglandinsupplementation Maintenanceofrenalfunction
theobromine (chocolate) - clinical signs
Vomiting,diarrhoea,polydipsia,salivation‐ dehydration
CNS/Myocardialstimulation- tremor, convulsions, tachycardia, hypertension‐ arrhythmia
Renalfailure
Fatalcases– severeconvulsions/circulatoryfailure
theobromine (chocolate) - treatment
Emesis‐ Apomorphine Repeatdoseactivatedcharcoal Adequaterehydration Surgeryobservation monitor vital signs
Tremorgenic Mycotoxins
Mycotoxins arefungalmetabolitesproducedbymould typefungus
found in mould food products/rubbish
Tremorgenic Mycotoxins - clinical signs
Vomiting,ataxia,whole‐bodymuscletremors,rigiditywith hyperextensionofextremities,hyperactivity,hyperaesthesia,tachycardia,panting,tachypnoea,nystagmus andblepharospasm.
Tremorgenic Mycotoxins - severe cases
severetremorsandopisthotonus,convulsionsandcomawith
paddling.Rarelyaspiration
Incrmuscularactivity‐ hyperpyrexia,exhaustion,rhabdomyolysis,
dehydrationandhypoglycaemia.
raisedLDH,CKandliverenzymes.
Tremorgenic Mycotoxins - treatment
decontamination - emesis + gastric lavage
anticonvulsants
Supportivecare– rehydration, coolingmeasures, ventilation, antiemetics
allium spp.
leeks,onions,shallots,springonions,garlic&chive
forms heinz bodies in RBC - these are removed from circulation - anaemia
allium spp. - clinical effects
GIT - vomiting,inappetance
Heinzbodyanaemia - lethargy,paleMM,tachycardia&tachypnoea
Haematuriaandhaemoglobinurea
Methaemoglobinaemia
severecases,icterusduetohaemosiderin(highironstores)intheliver
allium spp. - treatment
Emesis AC Monitorhaematologicalparameters IVfluids Anti‐emeticsifneeded
Anticoagulant Rodenticides - clinical effects
clinical signs rare
Maineffectishaemorrhage
Maypresentwithsignsofdyspnoea,lethargy,weakness/anorexia
Bruising,bleedingfromgums,nose,GItractandwounds
Molluscicides – Metaldehyde ‐ ClinicalEffects
Hypersalivation,vomiting,diarrhoea,ataxia,panting,tremors,
convulsions,hyperthermia
Tachypnoea,dyspnoea,hyperventilationandrespiratory
depression
Tachycardiaorbradycardia
fatalities due to resp failure
European adder - clinical effects
Hypovolaemia andlocaloedema
Localhaemorrhage (rare)
Cardiaceffects
Renalimpairment
European adder - systemic effects
Shock,collapseandhypotensioncanoccurrapidly.
Pain,panting,hypersalivation,mentalstatuschanges,hyperthermia,bruising,palemucousmembranes,tachypnoea andlameness
Coagulopathy – Anaemia,thrombocytopenia,leucocytosis,disseminatedintravascularcoagulation(DIC)andhaematuria.
Renaleffects
Hepaticeffects– mild/moderate
Cardiaceffects‐ duetomyocardialdamageoccurwithorwithoutECGabnormalities
European adder - treatment
antivenom BP,Pulse,respiration,temperature ECG(arrival,12hrs&24hrs) BT‐ Checkforcoagulopathy Renal&hepaticparameters can also give - analgesia, antibiotics, antihistamines
Cycadsspp
small ferns looking plants
1-2 seeds can cause toxicity/death in dogs
cycads spp - clinical effects
Vomiting, haematemesis, diarrhoea, dehydration, abdominal discomfort
Hepatocellular necrosis with raised liver enzymes, hypoproteinaemia, jaundice and secondary cholestasis.
In severe cases coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia and ascites.
cycads spp - treatment
Emesis + RDAC Rehydration + Anti-emetics if required Gastroprotectants monitor haematology Vitamin K1 - hyprothrombinaemia.
xylitol
natural sugar
causes potent insulin release in dogs
liver damage
xylitol - treatment
gastric decontamination
monitor bloog glucosse levels - often become hypoglycaemic
dextrose for sugar levels + hepatotoxicity
