Zootoxins/Recreational Drugs Flashcards
What species of Bufo toads are our companion animals exposed to?
- Cane or marine toad (Florida, south Texas, Hawaii, Puerto Rico)
- Colorado River Toad (Southwest US: Arizona - California)
Where are the toxins located and released from in the bufo toad?
Parotid glands
What toxins do bufo toads release?
Catecholamines and Serotonin Bufotenine Bufagenins Bufotoxins Indole alkylamines - similar to the hallucinogen LSD
What bufo toxin is a schedule I drug?
Bufotenine - has hallucinogenic effects
Bufagenins and bufotoxins are _____ steriods similar to _____
Cardioactive steroids similar to Digitalis
What animals are most susceptible to bufotoad poisoning?
Dogs
Cats and ferrets can also be poisoned
What is the toxic dose of bufo toad secretions? When are animals most susceptible to exposure?
1 mg/kg of secretions
Summer in the evening/night
How are bufotoxins absorbed and distributed throughout the body?
Absorbed through MM, gastric mucosa, conjunctiva, open skin wounds
Distributed all over the body including the CNS
What clinical signs are associated with bufotoxins?
*Direct irritation of MM - salivation, bright red MM, vocalization, and vomiting
Main organs effects: heart, blood vessels, CNS
- disorientation, ataxia, circling, sz, rigidity, vertical nystagmus etc
- tachycardia, arrhythmias, sometimes bradycardia
What is the treatment recommended for bufotoad toxicosis?
Flush the mouth with running water
Activated charcoal
Control sz/muscle tremors, atropine prn for bradycardia, lido prn for ventricular tachyarrhythmias, supportive therapy
Digoxin immune fab may be used to bind bufagenins and bufotoxins
What poisonous snakes are in North America?
Pit vipers (Crotalid family) - rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, and water moccasins
Coral snakes
Is bufotoxicosis an acute or chronic process?
Acute
All US states have pit vipers except..?
Maine, Alaska, Hawaii
T/F: Dogs are more sensitive to snake venom than cats
TRUE
What is the primary effect of pit viper envenomation?
Hypocoagulation
What clinical signs may be seen in a dog that’s been bitten by a venomous snake?
Rapid or delayed clinical signs
Severe swelling around bite and oozing from punctures, PAIN, petechiation, and necrosis
untreated can progress to DIC
What treatments can be done for a snake bite patients?
Antivenin (for dogs) - risk of allergic rxn (tx with corticosteroid and diphenhydramine, IVF) - needs to be admin ASAP - $$$$
analgesics, blood products prn, broad spectrum ABs, immobilize animals
No NSAIDs
What is the primary effect of coral snake envenomation?
*Neurotoxic - Curare-like effects
Dogs -hemolysis and anemia
What animals do not show anemia or hemolysis after being bitten by coral snakes?
Cats
What is the treatment for copper snake bites?
Micrurus fulvius antivenin - specific
Other tx will be similar to pit viper bites (Symptomatic and supportive)
What is the route of absorption, distribution, and metabolism of amphetamine and methamphetamines?
Readily orally absorbed and distributed widely - including the CNS
Metabolized in the liver - some metabolites might be active
T/F: Amphetamine and its metabolites are excreted in the urine which is pH dependent
TRUE
What clinical signs will be noted in a dog that has ingested amphetamines?
hyperactivity, restlessness, *circling, tremors, ataxia, seizures, hyperthermia
Some patients might show depression, weakness, and bradycardia
What treatment is rec. for animals that have ingested amphetamines?
Induction of emesis, activated charcoal, Tx of sz (Benzodiazepines are not recommended), Ace for sedation, tachyarrhythmias tx with beta blockers or lidocaine
Urinary acidifiers (ammonium chloride or ascorbic acid) will enhance renal excretion
IVF etc
How is cocaine absorbed and distributed in dogs?
absorbed via all MM - crosses the BBB and Alveolar capillaries
What clinical signs are noted in dogs that have ingested cocaine?
Vomiting, hypersalivation, mydriasis, hyperactivity (not the same intense circling as noted with amphetamines), Convulsive seizures, hyperthermia, tachycardia, tachypnea
What treatments should be done in a dog that has ingested cocaine?
Induce emesis only if patient is NOT clinical yet
Gastric lavage with activated charcoal
Control of sz - diazepam
Betablockers - tackyarrhythmias, IVF with sodium bicarb if acidosis is present
How is THC absorbed in canine patients?
rabidly absorbed orally and by inhalation
Oral absorption is increase by a fatty meal
What clinical signs are associated with THC poisoning in dogs?
Vomiting, CNS depression, ataxia/incoordination, hypothermia
seizures, hyperexcitability, brady or tachycardia, apprehension
T/F: Clinical signs from THC poisoning in dogs may resolve without treatment
TRUE
If tx is chosen - activated charcoal (repeated doses), IVF, diazepam etc (supportive care)
