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Ivermectin
Worm medication used orally and
parenterally in most species (Heartguard,
Ivomec, Eqvalen, Zimecterin)
Cumulative toxicant
Young animals more susceptible
Often a problem in dogs given horse paste
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Ivermectin
Dogs-6ug/kg =heartworm preventive dose;
2.5 mg/kg PO =mydriasis, 5mg/kg PO= muscle
tremors, 40 mg/kg PO= death Collies, Aust. Shepherd, Shelties, Border Collies-
0.1 -0.2 mg/kg PO or SC causes toxicity and death
Cats-0.5mg/kg=mydriasis and tremors Equine-2mg/kg=ataxia and blindness
Cattle and Sheep-4mg/kg=ataxia/death
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Ivermectin
Mechanism of action is to increase GABA release,affinity of GABA receptor and direct GABAagonist
Onset time is hours to 1 day, affects CNS
Clinical signs-hypersalivation (dogs), tremors,bradycardia, convulsions, coma, mydriasis,
blindness, ataxia Can see anaphylactic reactions in dogs
No visible lesions
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Ivermectin
Diagnosis
History of administration
Brain ivermectin concentration >100ppbTreatment
Short acting barbiturate for convulsions (no benzos)
IV physostigmine (0.04mg/kg) BID in comatose
animals
Flumanezil and moxidectin-expt. Benzo antagonists
Epinephrine, fluids for anaphylaxis
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Household Cleaners
Product warning label indicates level of
toxicity
No label = LD50 > 5 g/kg
Caution = 0.55 g/kg
Warning = 50500 mg/kg
Danger: Poison =
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Soaps, Shampoos, Detergents
Most have low toxicity
Usually cause only vomiting and diarrhea
Cationic surfactants are found in contact lenssolutions, fabric softeners, swimming poolalgicides; can cause neuromuscular and ganglionic
blockade as well as GI ulcerations, acidosis and
shock Anionic surfactants are in many cleaning products
like shampoos have the potential to causehemolysis
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Disinfectant Cleaners
Products like Lysol contain phenolic compoundsmixed with detergents
Pine oil based compounds like Pine Sol These products are especially toxic to cats due to
metabolism by glucuronidation; can cause liverinjury, jaundice, and renal damage in conjunction
with GI problems Phenolics also found in creosote and tar paper;
watch out for pigs
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Alkaline Compounds
Ammonia, Oven Cleaner, Most Drain Openers
All have pH of >12 which can cause burns (ulcerations)
Ulcers can be very severe, especially with granular drainopeners
Ingestions causes GI ulcerations, vomiting, salivation,
dysphagia (esophageal stricture), dyspnea
Bleach and scouring powders with bleach usually not highenough pH to cause ulceration; can be a problem if mixed
with ammonia = chloramine gas
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Acidic Compounds
Toilet bowl cleaners, concrete cleaner,
Lime-A-Way, some drain openers
Can cause severe burns, but usually not as
deep as alkali
Signs and treatment similar to alkaline
products
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Treating Household Cleaner Ingestions
If a potentially toxic amount of a non-
corrosive compound ingested, emesis
should be induced; no activated charcoalunless systemic effects are expected
For corrosive compounds 1) dilute with
milk or water, 2) determine exactly howmuch of what material was ingested
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Treating Toxic Corrosive
Ingestions If there is pain, dysphagia, excessive
drooling, or ulceration and the exposure was
potentially toxic:Establish airway and get esophagoscopy
If esophagus cant be examined quickly, startcorticosteroids
If examination indicates burns, givecorticosteroids
Symptomatic and supportive care
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Drano IngestionInitial Visit
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Drano IngestionFinal Visit
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Petroleum Products
Gasoline, mineral spirits, kerosene, lighter
fluid, nail polish remover, solvents, motor
oil, furniture polish
Biggest worry is aspiration causing
hydrocarbon pneumonia
Pneumonia risk related to viscosity; lessviscous = more toxic
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Systemic Toxicity of
Hydrocarbons Most hydrocarbons are CNS depressants
Some volatile hydrocarbons sensitize the
heart to catecholamines and can causesudden death due to cardiac arrest
Many hydrocarbons cause dermal irritation
and hair loss
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Signs of Hydrocarbon Toxicity
Depression, lethargy, ataxia, seizures, coma
Dyspnea, coughing, wheezing, X-ray
changes in lungs with pneumonia
Spontaneous vomiting and aspiration often
occurs with more volatile compounds
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Treating Hydrocarbon Ingestions
Wash for dermal exposures
Do not try to increase viscosity by adding
heavier compound
Do not induce emesis unless a large, life
threatening ingestion (>1 ml/kg)
Monitor for pneumonia; treat with
antibiotics if present
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Oak (Acorn) Poisoning
Red Oak are most toxic due to high tannins, LiveOak is questionable
problems are seasonal, usually in fall after a stormor during summer droughts
primarily affects cattle; calves are moresusceptible
Toxic priniciple is thought to tannins or theirmetabolites
Animals must consume large amounts of acorns orbuds to be toxic
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Oak poisoning
Cases have relatively low morbidity withmoderate mortality (35-80%)
Animals usually ingested acorns for 1 week priorto signs
Symptoms are primarily renal and GI-anorexia,depression, weakness and possible nasal
discharge; progresses to rumen atony, black tarrydiarrhea, ventral edema, dehydration.
terminal animals are often recumbent near water
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Cyanogenetic Plants
Wild and choke cherry, Sudan and Johnson
grass, Flax, Sugar beet tops, Arrow grass
contain glycosides with cyanide groups
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Thiaminases
Horsetails and Bracken Ferns
Thiaminases destroy thiamine causing
neurological problems; causes aplasticanemia in ruminants
Primarily affects horses and ruminants
Usually occurs if other forage is inadequate
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Bracken Fern
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Calcium Oxalate plants
Members ofAraceae family contain calcium
oxalates; Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane),
Philodendron, Elephant ear, Calla lily, Arum lily,Caladium
All parts of plant are toxic; stalk more toxic than
leaves
Usually occurs in cats, dogs, birds, and lizards
Rarely life-threatening
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Calcium Oxalate plants
Preformed calcium oxalate crystals embed in all
parts of GI tract; also contain proteolytic enzymes
that cause histamine release Onset time is immediate; primarily affects GI
system
Clinical signs include head shaking, salivation,
dyspnea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of voice
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Calcium Oxalate plants
Diagnosis is by history of exposure and
compatible clinical signs
Treatment
Rinse mouth with water
Anithistamines for dyspnea
Demulcents (Kao-pectate; no Pepto in cats)
Fluids for severe vomiting and diarrhea
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Precatory Bean; Rosary Pea
Grows in Carribean
Commonly sold as rosary beads
Extremely toxic, 1 pea can kill a child or
dog
Severe enteritis leads to shock
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Castor Bean
Common plant in S. Florida
Mole plant
Seeds are extremely toxic due to ricin
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Oleander
Contains cardiac glycosides (much like
digitalis)
Highly toxic
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Cassia
Coffeeweed, sicklepod
Causes muscle degeneration
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Crotalaria
Rattlebox
Causes liver injury
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Cycas and Zamia
Sago Palms, Coontie Plants
Seeds are especially toxic
Causes liver injury
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Sesbania
Seeds are most toxic part
Produce severe hemorrhagic or necrotic
enteritis
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Cestrum
Day and night blooming jessamine
Contains Vitamin D
Kidney damage
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Lantana
Causes photosensitization secondary to liver
injury