Unit 1 - Heavy Metals Flashcards
What is one of the top bovine poisonings that we see in the diagnostic lab?
lead
What are the most common sources of small animal lead toxicosis?
Paint chips/dust, fishing tackle, lead based toys, and lead shot/bullets
What species is most often affected by lead based paint?
goats and poultry
What species is most often affected by lead shot?
water fowl
What species are most often affected by lead based toys and fishing tackle?
Dogs
What are the most common sources of large animal lead toxicosis?
Lead batteries, motor oil, old building foundations, old pesticides, and paint
(Cows/calves) get seasonal lead toxicosis in the (spring and summer/fall and winter).
Calves, spring/summer
What age group and season do dogs typically get lead toxicosis?
Dogs are indiscriminate eaters so they can get it at any age and in any season
What birds typically get lead poisoning?
Chickens, water fowl, and raptors
If calves on pasture aren’t dying from ______ or _____, then lead should be next on the list.
GI or respiratory illnesses
What are the human health implications with lead toxicosis in chickens?
Egg contamination
Overall, what age group is more susceptible to lead toxicosis?
younger animals
What type of environment leads to increased absorption of lead?
acidic environment
Lead is absorbed in the _________, enters the _______, is deposited in _________, crosses the ______, and is excreted in ____ and ______.
GI tract, bloodstream, bone, BBB, feces and milk
What are the MOAs of lead?
- Binds to sulfhydryl groups which decreases heme synthesis
- Displaces Ca from binding sites which alters nerve and muscle transmission
- It inhibits membrane enzymes which decreases smooth muscle contraction
- It interferes with mineral absorption (Ca and calbindin)
When does the onset of clinical signs occur in cases of lead toxicosis?
48 hours
What clinical signs predominate in dogs with lead toxicosis?
GI signs - vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, and a tender abdomen
These are the first signs to occur
What clinical signs occur 2nd in lead toxicosis in dogs?
Neurologic signs - lethargy, ataxia and blindness, hysteria and convulations/seizures, and mydriasis
What clinical signs predominate in cattle with lead toxicosis?
Neurologic signs - blindness, increased vocalization, ataxia, head pressing, tremoring and convulsions, bruxism, circling, and aimless wandering
What clinical signs may or may not happen in lead toxicosis cattle?
GI signs - anorexia. rumen stasis, and gaunt
T/F - Lead should always be on your list for neurologic cattle
True
What clinical signs are associated with lead toxicosis in cats?
Non-specific - lethargy, anorexia, vomiting, and weight loss
What clinical signs are associated with lead toxicosis in birds?
Neurologic signs - Depression, ataxia, weight loss, esophageal paralysis, regurgitation, wing droop
What clinical signs are associated with lead toxicosis in horses?
Neurologic - paralysis of recurrent laryngeal nerve and ataxia
What samples should be taken for detection of lead in lead toxicosis cases?
Whole blood and milk
Liver, kidney, bone, and GI contents
Unknowns and feed
Aside from testing for lead, what else would you use a whole blood sample for in a case of lead toxicosis?
Blood smear
What would a brain sample be used for in cases of lead toxicosis?
Histopathology
What will you see on a blood smear in a dog with lead toxicosis?
Nucleated RBCs, basophilic stippling, and NO anemia
What other diagnostic tool could be helpful if you suspect lead toxicosis?
Radiographs
What gross lesions does lead toxicosis cause?
Fluorescence of laminal cortical region in the brain
emaciated muscle wasting in birds
What microscopic lesions does lead toxicosis cause?
laminar cortical necrosis
Dogs - acidophilic intra-nuclear inclusion bodies
What else causes the ‘polio’ lesion that lead toxicosis causes?
Thiaminases
Water deprivation
Thiamine deficiency
Sulfur intoxication