ALL POISONOUS PLANTS ANIMALS AND CHEMICALS

Toxin

Poisonous substances naturally produced by living organisms, including bacteria, plants, fungi, and animals.

Poison

A broader category of harmful substances, whether natural or synthetic, that can cause injury, illness, or death when introduced into a living organism.

Phytotoxin

Toxic compounds produced by plants, such as alkaloids, glycosides, and tannins.

Zootoxin

Toxic substances produced by animals, including venoms and other biologically active toxins used for defense or predation.

Mycotoxin

Toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, commonly found in contaminated feeds and agricultural products.

Bacterial Toxins

Toxins produced by bacteria, classified as endotoxins (components of the bacterial cell wall) or exotoxins (actively secreted toxins).

Chemical Poisons

A broad category of poisons, which may be natural or synthetic substances such as pesticides, heavy metals, and industrial compounds.

Venom

A toxin actively delivered through a bite, sting, or other mechanism (e.g., snake venom, scorpion venom). It is a "weapon" used by an animal to inject toxins.

Toxicity

The measure of how harmful a poison or toxin is, usually expressed as the dose that can cause harm (e.g., LD₅₀). It is a property of the substance (potency), not the effect.

Toxicosis / Intoxication / Poisoning

The disease or harmful effect caused by a toxin, occurring when an organism is exposed to a harmful amount of a toxin. This is the actual condition (effect) that results from poisoning.

Oleander

A plant that is very poisonous to animals like dogs, cats, horses, and cattle; even a small amount can affect the heart.

Foxglove

A plant that contains chemicals which can cause serious heart problems in animals.

Lantana

A plant toxic to livestock such as cows, goats, and sheep; it can damage the liver.

Sago Palm

A plant very dangerous to dogs; eating it can cause severe liver failure.

PRSAE

The principles of treatment of poisoning/toxicosis: Prevent absorption, Remove from the body, Supportive treatment, Antidote, Educate.

Prevent Absorption (step 1)

Remove or wash the source of toxin (wash skin, eyes, or affected area with water); avoid further ingestion of the toxin.

Emetics

Agents that induce vomiting; use only if safe and avoid in corrosive or petroleum ingestion.

Cathartics / Laxatives

Agents that accelerate elimination of toxins through feces.

Diuretics / IV fluids

Methods that enhance renal excretion of water-soluble toxins.

Gastric lavage

A method to remove toxins from the stomach.

Rumenotomy

A method to remove toxins from the stomach in ruminants.

Hemodialysis / plasmapheresis

Methods to remove toxins in severe cases; rare in veterinary practice.

Symptomatic / Supportive Treatment (step 3)

Maintaining vital signs (respiration, circulation, hydration) and treating secondary effects such as seizures, pain, and hypoxia.

Anticonvulsants

Treatment given for seizures secondary to poisoning.

Analgesics

Treatment given for pain secondary to poisoning.

Oxygen therapy

Treatment given for hypoxia secondary to poisoning.

Specific Antidotes (step 4)

Administered when available for a particular toxin.

Atropine

Antidote for organophosphate poisoning.

Vitamin K1

Antidote for anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning.

N-acetylcysteine

Antidote for acetaminophen toxicity.

Prevention / Education (step 5)

Educate owners about toxic plants, chemicals, and safe storage; monitor animals in high-risk environments (grazing areas, kennels, homes).

Thiotic Acid, Sodium thiosulfate

These are the treatments for Arsenic poisoning from pesticides, herbicides, or contaminated water.

Thiamine

This is the treatment for Bracken fern poisoning from grazing livestock ingestion.

Emetics, Activated charcoal, Saline cathartics

These are the treatments for Chocolate poisoning from cocoa products.

Penicillamine, Calcium Versanate, Ammonium tetrathiomolybdate, Sodium thiosulfate, Ammonium tetrathiomolybdate

These are the treatments for Copper poisoning from feed imbalance.

Activated charcoal, Saline cathartics, 4-methylpyrazole (4MP), Sodium Bicarbonate

These are the treatments for Ethylene glycol poisoning from antifreeze ingestion.

Sodium nitrate, Sodium thiosulfate, Methylene blue

These are the treatments for Cyanide poisoning from sorghum or cassava.

Calcium Bicarbonate, Aluminum oxide, Aluminum sulfate, Magnesium metasilicate, Boron

These are the treatments for Fluoride poisoning from industrial pollutants or rodenticides.

Increase intake of protein, Calcium hydroxide and iron

These are the treatments for Gossypol poisoning from cottonseed feed.

Atropine sulfate

This is the treatment for Carbamates poisoning from insecticides.

Atropine sulfate, Pralidoxine chloride (2-PAM)

These are the treatments for Organophosphorus poisoning from insecticides.

Methione, 10% dextrose

These are the treatments for Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (Senecio) poisoning from toxic plants.

Vitamin E + selenium

This is the treatment for Iron supplement overdose.

Sodium sulfate, Magnesium sulfate, Ca EDTA

These are the treatments for Lead poisoning from paint, batteries, or industrial sources.

Sodium thiosulfate, Dimercaprol

These are the treatments for Mercury poisoning from industrial sources or contaminated fish.

Copper sulfate

This is the treatment for Molybdenum poisoning from pasture imbalance.

Methylene blue

This is the treatment for Nitrate/nitrite poisoning from fertilized plants and water.

Acetic acid/vinegar

This is the treatment for Ammonia/Urea poisoning from ruminant feed error.

Calcium hydroxide, Purgatives

These are the treatments for Ouercus/oak bud poisoning from acorns or buds ingestion.

Vitamin K

This is the treatment for Warfarin poisoning from rodenticides.

Emetics, Sodium thiosulfate, Mercaptan

These are the treatments for ANTU (Alpha-naphthyl thiourea) poisoning from rodenticides.

Mannitol, Corticosteroids, Activated charcoal

These are the treatments for Bromethalin poisoning from rodenticides.

Calcium gluconate, Sodium bicarbonate

These are the treatments for Zinc phosphide poisoning from rodenticides.

Fresh water

This is the treatment for Salt poisoning from water deprivation or excess salt.

Increase protein, copper in diet

This is the treatment for Selenium poisoning from excess supplementation.

Emetics, Potassium permanganate (KMnO4)

These are the treatments for Strychnine poisoning from rodenticides.

Vitamin K

This is the treatment for Sweet clover poisoning from moldy feed.

Wash with water, Atropine sulfate (for bradycardia), Dopamine (for bradycardia), Lidocaine (for tachycardia), Phenytoin (for tachycardia), Phenobarbital, Diazepam, Oxygen therapy

These are the treatments for Toad poisoning from toad toxin exposure.