Transcript Document

TOXICOLOGIC EMERGENCIES
Toxicologic Emergencies
• Signs will vary depending on character of toxic compound
• Toxicity can result from exposure via many routes
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Ingestion
Inhalation
Skin contact
Injection
Toxicologic Emergencies
• Top 10 Toxicoses (2005)
– Human medication (ibuprofen, acetominophen, anti-depressants)
– Insecticides—flea and tick
– Rodenticides—anticoagulants
– Veterinary medication
– Household cleaners—bleach, detergents
– Plants—sago palm, lily, azalea
– Herbicides
– Chocolate—highest in food category
– Home improvement products—solvents, adhesives, paint, wood glue
– Fertilizers
Toxicologic Emergencies
• HISTORY
• ASSESS
• STABILIZE
– Administer oxygen
– Control seizures
– Correct cardiovascular abnormalities
• DECONTAMINATION
– Emetics
– Activated charcoal
– Gastointestinal protectants
• CONTROL CLINICAL SIGNS
• GOOD NURSING CARE
• PREVENT FURTHER EXPOSURE
Toxicologic Emergencies: external exposure
• Ocular exposure
• Rinse eyes with copious saline for 20-30 min
• Chemical burns treated with lubricating ointment and suture lids
closed
• Use corticosteroids only if corneal epithelium is
intact
• Skin exposure
• Bathe with mild detergent (liquid dish soap)
• Bather should wear protective clothing (gloves, goggles)
Toxicologic Emergencies
• Ingestion
• Induce vomiting—if chemical not caustic; animal conscious, not seizing
• Syrup of ipecac, apomorphine, Xylazine, H2O2 (not reliable), salt (not recommmended)
• Dilute caustic substances with milk, water
• Gastric lavage—large bore stomach tube; light anesthesia w/ endotracheal tube
• Administer absorbents—activated charcoal inhibits GI absorption
• Give orally or via stom tube
• Enemas/cathartics to eliminate toxins more rapidly
Toxicological Emergencies
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL WITH OR WITHOUT A CATHARTIC
Toxicologic Emergencies
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Methylxanthines (caffeine,
theobromine, theophylline
• Found in: coffee, tea, chocolate,
other stimulants
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Toxic Dose of caffeine and theobromine in dogs:
100-200 mg/kg; (other sources: 250-500mg)
Milk Chocolate—44-60 mg/oz
Dark chocolate-150 mg/oz
Baking Chocolate—390-450 mg/oz
Toxicologic Emergencies
• Clinical signs of methylxanthine/chocolate toxicosis (caffeine,
theobromine)
– Increased HR, RR
– Anxiety
– Vomiting/diarrhea
– Seizures, coma
– Cardiac arrhythmias
• Treatment
– Induce vomiting
– Activated charcoal
– Control seizues
– Fluid therapy
Toxicologic Emergencies
• Rodenticides
1. Anticoagulants
(warfarin, pindone,
bromadiolone,
brodifacoum)
• Work by binding Vit K,
which inhibits synthesis
of factors II, VI, IX, X
• This effect occurs within
6-40 h in a dog; effect
may last 1-4 wk
Toxicological Emergencies
• Clinical signs (occur after depletion of clotting factors)
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Lethargy
Vom/dia with blood; melena
Anorexia
Ataxia
Dyspnea
Epistaxis, scleral hemorrhage, pale mm
• Treatment
– Vit K: 3-5 mg/kg PO for up to 21 d depending on anticoagulant used
– Induce vomiting; activated charcoal
– Whole blood transfusion if anemic
Toxicologic Emergencies
– Rodenticides
2. Cholecalciferol—Vit D3; used in Quintox, rampage, Rat-Be-Gone
-causes Ca++ reabsorption from bone, intestine, kidneys causing
hypercalcemia (>11.5 mg/dl) and cardiotoxicity
• Clinical signs (12-36 h after ingestion)
– Kidney failure
» Anorexia
» Vomiting
» Tissue mineralization
– Cardiovascular abnormalities
» Muscle weakness
» arrhythmias
Toxicological Emergencies
• Diagnosis
– Hx of exposure
– Usually discovered on routine Chem panel (↑blood Ca++)
• Treatment
– Induce vom/activated charcoal if ingestion occurred with 2 h
– Furosemide x 2-4 wk; increases Ca++ excretion in urine
– Prednisone x 2-4 wk; decreases Ca++ reabsorption from bones/intesine
– Calcitonin to lower blood Ca++ concentration
Toxicologic Emergencies
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Rodenticides
3. Bromethalin
-uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation in CNS (stops production of ATP)
-Causes cerebral edema
-found in Assault, Vengence, Trounce
-Toxic Dose
Dog: 4.7 mg/kg
Cats: 1.8 mg/kg
Clinical signs (>24 h after ingestion of high dose; 1-5 d--low dose)
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Excitement, tremors, seizures
Depression, ataxia
Rx (will take 2-3 wk to know if animal will survive)
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Purge GI tract if exposure recent
Reduce cerebral edema with Mannitol and glucocorticoids
Seizure control with Diazepam and Phenobarbital
Toxicologic Emergencies
• Acetaminophen
• Common OTC drug for analgesia
• Toxic dose:
Dog—160-600 mg/kg
Cat—50-60 mg/kg (2 doses in 24 h is almost always
• Clinical signs (starts within 1-2 h of ingestion)
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Vomiting, salivation
Facial and paw edema
Depression
Dyspnea
Pale mm
Cyanosis due to methemoglobinemia
• Px—poor
• Rx
– Induce vom/activated charcoal
– Antidote: N-Acetylcysteine (loading dose of140-280 mg/kg PO, IV, then at 70 mg/kg PO, IV QID x 23d
Toxicological Emergencies
Toxicologic Emergencies
– Metals
• Lead toxicity more common in dogs than cats
– Source
» Lead paint (prior to 1970’s) is primary source
» Batteries, linoleum, plumbing supplies, ceramic containers, lead pipes, fishing sinkers,
shotgun pellets
– Clinical signs (Usually involves signs of GI and nervous systems)
» Anorexia
» Vom/dir
» Abd pain
-CNS signs do not show initially
» Blindness, seizures, ataxia, tremors, unusual behavior
Toxicologic Emergencies
–Metals
• Lead toxicity
– Dx
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– Rx
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Large # nucleated RBC’s; basophilic stipling
Blood lead conc >35 μg/ml
Remove lead from GI tract (cathartic, Sx)
Chelators (to bind the Pb in blood stream and hasten its removal)
-Calcium EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid)
-Penicillamine
» IV fluids for dehydration and to speed removal via kidneys
» Diazepam, Phenobarbital to control seizures
Toxicologic Emergencies
– Metals
• Zinc Toxicosis
– Usually from ingested pennies, galvanized
metal, zinc oxide ointment
• Clinical signs
• Dx
• Rx
– Vomiting
– CNS depression
– Lethargy
– Hx of exposure
– Clinical signs
– Remove metal objects endoscopically or
surgically
– IV fluid therapy
– Ca EDTA chelation
Toxicologic Emergencies
• Ethylene Glycol (antifreeze; sweet taste)
• Lethal dose:
Cat—1.5 ml/kg
Dog—6.6 ml/kg
• Signs (onset within 12 h of ingestion)
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• Dx
• Rx
CNS depression, ataxia (may appear intoxicated)
Vomiting
PD/PU
Seizures, coma, death
Acute renal failure
– Hx, signs
– Ethylene Glycol Poison Test—an 8 min test used in cats and dogs
– Calcium oxalate crystals
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Emesis, adsorbents if ingestion within 3 h of presentation
IV fluids, NaBicarb for acidosis
Ethanol inhibits ethylene glycol metabolism Dogs (Cats): 20% ethanol—5.5 (5.0) ml/kg q6h x 5, then q8h x 4
4-methylpyrazole has been shown to be effective
Toxicological Emergencies
THE PROBLEM
THE SOLUTION
Toxicologic Emergencies
• Snail Bait (Metaldehyde, methiocarb)
– Metaldehyde mechanism unknown
– Methiocarb is a carbamate and parasympathomimetic
• Signs
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Hypersalivation
Incoordination
Muscle fasciculations
Hyperesthesia
Tachycardia
Seizures
• Rx
– Emesis and absorbents
– Pentobarbital, muscle relaxants to control CNS hyperactivity
Toxicologic Emergencies
• Garbage Toxicity
– Common in dogs; not in cats
– Enterotoxin-producing bacteria include
Strep, Salmonella, Bacillus
• Signs (within min to h after ingestion)
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Anorexia, lethargy
Vom/dia
Ataxia, tremors
Enterotoxic shock can cause death
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IV Fluid therapy
Broad-spec antibiotics
Intestinal protectants
Muscle relaxers or Valium may be needed to control tremors
Corticosteroids to counter endotoxic shock
• Rx
Toxicologic Emergencies
• Insecticides
• Pyrethrins, Pyrethroids, Permethrins
– Common ingredients of flea/tick sprays, dips, shampoos, etc
– If used according to instructions, toxicity rarely occurs; if overused, toxicity can result
• Signs
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Hypersalivation
Vom/dia
Tremors, hyperexcitability or lethargy
Later, dyspnea, tremors, seizures can occur
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Bathe animal to remove excess
Induce vomiting/charcoal/cathartics for ingestion
Diazepam may be necessary for mild tremors
Methocarbamol, a muscle relaxer, for moderate-severe tremors
Atropine for hypersalivation and bradycardia
• Rx
Toxicologic Emergencies
–Insecticides
• Organophosphates and Carbamates
• Signs
• Rx
– Inhibit cholinesterase activity (break down of Ach is inhibited)
– Highly fat-soluble; easily absorbed from skin and GI tract
– Found in dips, sprays, dusts, etc for fleas and ticks, and flys
– Salivation
– Lacrimation
– Urinary incontinence
– Diarrhea
– Dyspnea
– Emesis, gastrointestinal cramping
-May progress to
– Seizures, coma, resp depression, death
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Bathe animal
Charcoal if ingested
Atropine (0.2-0.4 mg/kg; half IV, half IM or SQ)
Praloxime chloride (20 mg/kg BID till signs subside)—reactivates cholinesterase
Toxicologic Emergencies
• Plant Toxicity
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Most common in confined and juvenile animals
Usually from ornamental, indoor plants
Severity varies with plants
ID scientific plant name (florist, greenhouse)
• Araceae family (most from this family)
– Dumb cane, split-leaf philodendron
– Contain calcium oxalate crystals
• Signs
• Rx
– Hypersalivation, oral mucosal edema, local pruritis
-Large amount of plant may cause:
– Vomiting, dysphagia, dyspnea, abd pain, vocalization, hemorrhage
– Rinse mouth with milk or water to remove Ca Oxalate crystals
– GI decontamination (protectants) may be needed
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)
• aka Mother-in-law’s tongue
• Oral irritation; intense burning,
excess salivation
Split Leaf Philodendron
• Oxalate crystals like Dieffenbachia
• Oral irritation; intense burning, excess salivation
Lily of the Valley
• Contains cardiac glycosides
• Cardiac arrythmias, death
Azalea (Rhododendron)
• Hypotension, cardiovascular collapse, death
Sago Palm
• ALL PARTS OF THE PLANT ARE TOXIC
• Coagulopathy
• Liver failure
Toxicologic Emergencies
• Phone advice to give owners (legal issues)
• Protect yourself from exposure before handling animal
• Gloves, protective clothing
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Protect yourself from animal because poisoned animals may act strangely
Protect animal from further exposure by removing pet from source
Bring sample of vomit, feces, urine
Bring container/package that toxin was in and a sample of the toxin (plant
material, rat bait, etc)