Toxicology (3)

Question 1

how do cats usually become poisoned by toxins?

Answer 1

coat contamination (then grooming)
ingestion of poisoned prey

Question 2

what action can owners take before bring suspected to toxin cases in?

Answer 2

wash if toxin was topical
encourage water consumption

Question 3

what should you ask thew owners of toxin cases to bring with them to the surgery?

Answer 3

bottle or sample of toxin

Question 4

what is the first step when presented with a toxin case?

Answer 4

stabilise - respiratory, cardiovascular, CNS, thermoregulation

Question 5

how are topical exposures to toxins treated?

Answer 5

wash (water and mild detergent) and clip

Question 6

when washing a case that has been exposed topically to a toxin, what do you need to take care with?

Answer 6

ensuring the animal doesn’t become hypothermic, especially if they are already depressed/ill

Question 7

how is ocular contamination of toxins treated?

Answer 7

lavage eye for 30 minutes with tepid saline and treat for ulceration

Question 8

what is the aim of treating ingested toxins?

Answer 8

decrease the absorbed dose (decrease absorption, increase elimination, bind toxin)

Question 9

how can we decrease the absorbed dose of toxins?

Answer 9

induce emesis
gastric lavage
adsorbents

Question 10

how can emesis be triggered in dogs?

Answer 10

apomorphine

Question 11

how can emesis be triggered in cats?

Answer 11

xylazine or dexmedetomidine

Question 12

how soon should emesis be induced after toxin ingestion?

Answer 12

within 3 hours (as soon as possible)

Question 13

what are some contraindications for inducing emesis in toxin cases?

Answer 13

animal already vomiting
absent gag reflex
sedation or loss of consciousness
seizuring
ingestion of corrosive substances

Question 14

how does apomorphine stimulate emesis?

Answer 14

acting on dopamine receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone

Question 15

how can apomorphine be antagonised?

Answer 15

naloxone (this is only the sedative not the emetic effect)

Question 16

how can xylazine be reversed?

Answer 16

atipamazole

Question 17

how does hydrogen peroxide induce emesis?

Answer 17

irritation of the stomach

Question 18

why isn’t table salt recommended for inducing emesis?

Answer 18

cause electrolyte imbalances

Question 19

what are some precautions that need to be taken when doing gastric lavage?

Answer 19

general anaesthetic
cuffed ET tube
lower head/neck relative to thorax

Question 20

what can be used in combination with saline when lavaging the stomach?

Answer 20

activated charcoal

Question 21

what is activated charcoal used for?

Answer 21

as an absorbent

Question 22

how long should you waiting after inducing emesis to give activated charcoal?

Answer 22

at least 30 minutes to avoid them vomiting it

Question 23

when do you need to give multiple doses of activated charcoal?

Answer 23

if they have injected a toxin/substance that undergoes enterohepatic recirculation

Question 24

what is a cathartic?

Answer 24

stimulates defecation (laxative) so enhance GI elimination

Question 25

what can be given to enhance toxin clearance? c

Answer 25

cathartics
enema
diuresis

Question 26

what can be given to cause diuresis in toxin cases?

Answer 26

IVFT
furosemide
mannitol

Question 27

what is the normal urine output of a patient?

Answer 27

0.5-1 ml/kg/hr

Question 28

why should a cathartic be used after giving activated charcoal?

Answer 28

activated charcoal only binds weakly to toxins, so reduce the amount of time the toxins spend inside the GIT or they will be absorbed

Question 29

when would cathartics be contraindicated?

Answer 29

if the animal already has diarrhoea
if they are dehydrated
intestinal perforation/obstruction

Question 30

what are some examples of cathartics?

Answer 30

psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid
sorbitol
sodium/magnesium sulphate
liquid parafin

Question 31

what is an antidote?

Answer 31

any compound that counteracts the effects of toxicants

Question 32

what are the categories of antidotes?

Answer 32

chemical
pharmacological
function

Question 33

how do chemical antidotes work?

Answer 33

directly on the toxin to decrease its toxicity or increase excretion

Question 34

how do pharmacological antidotes work?

Answer 34

antagonise toxins at the target site

Question 35

how do functional antidotes work?

Answer 35

lessen the clinical signs caused but have no effect on the actual toxin

Question 36

what drug can be used to stimulate the respiratory system?

Answer 36

doxapram

Question 37

what analgesic should be used for toxin cases?

Answer 37

opioids

Question 38

why should NSAIDs be used in toxin cases?

Answer 38

damage to oral mucosa and potentially toxic

Question 39

what should be used if toxin patients are having seizures?

Answer 39

diazepam (first line) or phenobarbital