1. Introduction to Veterinary Toxicology

a substance that is capable of causing the illness or death of a living organism when introduced or absorbed

poison

causing or capable of causing death or illness if taken into the body

poisonous

a poisonous substance that is a specific product of the metabolic activities of a living organism and is usually very unstable, notably toxic when introduced into the tissues, and typically capable of inducing antibody formation

toxin

containing or being poisonous material especially when capable of causing death or serious debilitation

toxic

any toxic substance that can be poisonous and may be man-made or naturally occurring, and the different types can be found in the air, water, or food

toxicant

a toxic substance produced by some animals that is injected into prey or an enemy chiefly by biting or stinging and has an injurious or lethal effect broadly

venom

If you bite it and you die, it’s ________. If it bites you and you die, it’s ________.

poison/toxin; venom

a pathological condition caused by the action of a poison or toxin

toxicosis

the state of being intoxicated, especially by alcohol or by any toxin

intoxication

the action of administering poison to a person or animal

poisoning

the quality of being toxic or poisonous

toxicity

True or false: Natural does not mean it is non toxic.

true

What are the seven most deadly, to humans, chemical substances?

1. B

2. T

3. D

4. D

5. M

6. B

7. S

1. botulinum toxin A

2. tetanus toxin A

3. diphtheria toxin

4. dioxin

5. muscarine

6. bufotoxin

7. sarin

What is step 1 of toxicology analysis?

list the toxicological differentials

What is step 1 based on? Which is most important? What is second most important?

S
H
C
O

• signalment

• history

• clinical signs

• other diagnostics

history; clinical signs

What is step 2 of toxicology analysis?

obtain appropriate samples

What is step 3 of toxicology analysis?

determine appropriate extraction technique

What is step 4 of toxicology analysis?

determine the appropriate analysis

What is step 5 of toxicology analysis?

interpret results

What is used when interpreting results?

C
Q

• clinical significance

• qualitative vs. quantitative

What are many toxicological diagnoses based on?

history

Analysis is often what rather than what?

often confirmatory rather than diagnostic

What should be taken in the history?

S
S
O
P
O
I
M
F

• signalment

• signs

• onset

• progression

• other animals (affected/exposed)

• indoor/outdoor

• medical history

• food/water/supplements

True or false: Do not assume that what you are told is necessarily the truth and do not assume that the owner will volunteer all necessary information. Do not jump to conclusions even if the case seems cut-and-dried. Ask important questions several times in several different ways if you think necessary.

true

What is important to think about during the examination?

does the physical exam fit the history

What is the minimum database for diagnostics?

C
C
R

• CBC, serum chemistry, urinalysis

• coagulation profiles

• radiographs, ultrasound, etc

When is baseline diagnostics usually done?

before specific toxicological testing

What samples should be used antemortem? What are specifics?

B
W
U
F
V
H

everything you can easily reach in the live animal

• blood

• whole blood and serum

• urine

• feces

• vomit/gastric lavage

• hair in cases of topical exposure

True or false: Swabs are not enough for most toxicological testing.

true

What samples should be taken in postmortem sampling?

everything and a lot of it

What does DAMNIT mean? What else needs to be thought of?

• degenerative, developmental

• anatomic

• metabolic

• neoplastic, nutritional

• infectious, inflammatory, immune-mediated, idopathic, iatrogenic

• traumatic, toxic

is it acute, subacute, or chronic

In summary, what are the toxicological rule-outs based on?

1. H

2. E

3. B

4. E

5. T

1. history

2. examination

3. baseline diagnostics

4. environmental exam (in large animal cases)

5. toxicological analyses