Everything Flashcards
Which four clinical signs contributed to your assumption that Harley was hypovolemic?
Weakness, collapse, tachycardia, weak pulse
In which cellular space is fluid accumulating in pitting oedema?
Interstitial / extracellular space
How does snake venom affect the cardiovascular system?
Release of fibrinolytic and thrombin-like enzymes to cause widespread clotting, depletion of fibrinogen and, later, widespread microhaemorrhages.
Define hypovolemia
Loss of fluid from the intravascular compartment; characterised by Na+ loss
Why were hypertonic fluids contraindicated in Harley’s case?
Because they work by drawing fluid out of the interstitial space into the blood to restore blood volume. However, Harley may have had snake venom in this compartment.
Would isotonic fluids help more with intravascular volume expansion or extravascular dehydration?
It would contribute equally.
What is one toxic mechanism of PLA2 in snake venom?
Inhibit the electron transfer chain and solubilise mitochondrial enzymes
Name three toxic components of snake venom
Hyaluronidase, collagenase, phospholipse, amino acid oxidases
Define petechiae
Small haemorrhages in the skin
Define ecchymoses
Converging petechiae visible in the mucous membranes
Two mechanisms by which snake venom can interrupt neuromuscular transmission are
Blocking (antagonising) the AChR, preventing release of ACh from pre-synaptic nerve
What is the major risk associated with giving antivenom to a dog?
Allergic reaction to the equine or sheep protein that would also be in the solution
How does snake venom spread around the body?
Spreads locally via diffusion, spreads to the blood via the lymphatics, spreads systemically via the blood
Why shouldn’t you shake antivenom?
Destroys the proteins within, also causes the liquid to foam making it difficult to draw up.
Describe the role of iodine in thyroid hormone production
Iodine converted to iodide in the GIT, which is then absorbed and travels to the thyroid. Here, it iodinates tyrosine residues on the thyroglobulin molecule to create mono-iodotyrosine and di-iodotyrosine.
What is the mechanism of action of a cyanogenetic goitrogen?
Acts to inhibit iodine uptake by thyroid, preventing synthesis of T3 and T4. Get overstimulation of thyroid with TSH in the absence of T3 and T4, leading to hyperplastic/hypertrophic thyroid.
What is the mechanism of action of a thiouracil goitrogen?
Prevent incorporation of iodine into thyroid hormones
Loose CT has a high or low ratio of cells to fibres?
High
Dense CT has a high or low ratio of cells to fibres?
Low
Three types of CT proper?
Loose, adipose, dense
Two types of extracellular material?
Amorphous and fibrous
Describe a mesenchymal cell (light microscope level)
- stellate
- cytoplasmic processes
- oval/round nucleus
- multipotent
- small numbers in adults
Describe a fibroblast (light microscope level)
- stellate or spindle
- ovoid nucleus
- abundant basophilic cytoplasm
- synthesises collagen
Describe a fibrocyte (light microscope level)
- flattened, elongated spindle shape
- small
- elongated nucleus
- minimal cytoplasm as not active