Canine Toxins

3 main grouping of toxins to dogs

food, medication and other objects

what is the toxic component of chocolate

Methylzanthine

what is Methylzanthine broken into

Primary - theobromine

secondary - caffeine

where are theobromine and caffeine absorbed

in the GI tract and then distributed throughout the body

what does clinical signs for chocolate depend on

amount and type ingested

order of worst to not as bad chocolate types

cocoa powder - baker's chocolate - semisweet - instant cocoa mix - milk chocolate - white chocloate

mechanism of chocolate toxin

causes behavioral changes and CNS stimulation

cardiovascular abnormalities

cardiac and skeletal muscle contractility is increased

clinical signs for chocolate ingestion

vomiting, diarrhea, polydipsia, tachycardia, hypothermia, cardiac arrhythmias

can sometimes cause cardiovascular and CNS signs too

when does symptoms onset for chocolate ingestion

6-12 hrs post ingestion

diagnosis for chocolate ingestion

based on history

treatment for chocolate ingestion

decontamination (vomiting and activated charcoal)

address CNS signs with

- Methocarbamol (muscle relaxer)

- Diazepam (mild sedative)

address cardiac arrythmias

- beta-blockers

- lidocaine

prognosis for chocolate ingestion

good with a quick recovery

symptoms resolve in 12-72 hrs

can be poor depending on symptoms that developed

toxic component in raisins and grapes

Tartaric acid

how much more toxic are raisins than grapes

4.5x

mechanism of action for raisin ingestion

causing kidney damage with renal tubular necrosis

mineralization in kidneys, gastric mucosa, lungs and blood vessels

clinical signs of raisin ingestion

dehydration

abdominal pain

vomiting - in 12 hrs

lethargy - in 24 hrs

anorexia - in 24 hrs

ACUTE KINDEY INFECTION

onset of symptoms for raisin ingestion begins how fast

6-12 hrs post ingestion

diagnosis for raisin ingestion

bloodwork with azotemia and inc phosphorus

urinalysis with low urine gravity

treatment for raisin ingestion

decontamination

IV FLUIDS

monitor renal function closely

prognosis for raisin ingestion

varies b/c not all dogs will develop AKI

toxic component in garlic and onions

thiosulfinates which are broken down into dipropyl sulfides

mechanism of action for garlic ingestion

it oxide RBC membranes resulting in hemolysis (Ruptured RBC)

can you get rid of garlic toxin from cooking

no, it can not be cooked or dried out

clinical signs of garlic ingestion

lethargy

weakness

PALE MUCOUS MEMBRANES

tachycardia

HEMOGLOBINURIA (red to brown urine)

onset of symptoms for garlic ingestion begin

2-5 days post ingestion

diagnosis for garlic ingestion

bloodwork

- anemia

- heinz body formation

- methemoglobinemia (brown serum)

Urinalysis

- hemoglobinuria

treatment for garlic ingestion

decontamination

+/- blood transfusion

prognosis for garlic ingestion

good

toxic component in sugar free gum

xylitol

where else is xylitol found

gum, candy, baked goods, peanut butters, liquid gabapentin

mechanism of action for xylitol

rapid, dose-dependent insulin release causing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

how soon do clinical signs of xylitol ingestion start

within 30 min up to 12-18 hrs

diagnosis for xylitol ingestion

hypoglycemia

inc ALT

hyperbilirubinemia

thrombocytopenia

treatment for xylitol ingestion

decontamination

IV dextrose

denamarin - liver protectant

prognosis for xylitol

good with control of hypoglycemia

guarded in hepatic necrosis develops

toxic component in marijuana

cannabinoids (THC)

mechanism of action for marijuana ingestion

acts on an unique receptor in the brain response for CNS effects

effects are seen at very low doses

clinical signs for marijuana ingestion

dilated pupils

ataxia

tremors

CNS depression

onset of marijuana ingestion symptoms

30 mins

diagnosis for marijuana ingestion

based on history

can do a drug test

treatment for marijuana ingestion

decontamination

supportive care with IV fluids and in a dark quiet room

prognosis for marijuana ingestion

excellent

common NSAIDS toxic to dogs

ibuprofen

aspirin

naproxen

what do NSAIDS usually cause a problem with

GI tract or kidneys

mechanism of action with NSAIDS

blocking of production of prostaglandins

clinical signs for NSAID toxicity (mild)

abdominal pain

vomiting

diarrhea

lethargy

anorexia

melena

clinical signs for NSAID toxicity (severe)

dehydration

pale mucous membranes

icterus

bruising

seizures

what does NSAID toxicity usually cause as well

GI uclers

diagnosis for NSAID toxicity

bloodwork

- anemia form GI hemorrhage

- Azotemia

- inc ALT and bilirubin

treatment for NSAID toxicity

decontamination

gastroprotectants

IV fluids

supportive care

prognosis for NSAID toxicity

all depends on irritation to intestines and how early it was caught but usually good

toxic component in rodenticides

three

warfarin - bleeding

bromethalin - neurologic

cholecalciferol - calcification

what should you always get if a dog has rodenticides

active ingredient list from the product

warfarin clinical signs

depression

loss of appetite

pale mucous membranes

bleeding form eyes, nose GI tract

warfarin issue

interferes with blood clotting and is a very common ingredient

treatment for warfarin

decontamination

Vit K1 for 2-4 weeks

bromethalin issue

causes neurological signs

bromethalin clinical signs

muscle tremors

CNS depression

Seizures

Ataxia

treatment for bromethalin

decontamination

time and wishes

cholecalciferol issue

produces excess calcium in the blood causing calcification of soft tissue

cholecalciferol clinical signs

depression

loss of appetite

passing large amounts of urine

extreme thirst

treatment for cholecalciferol

decontamination

low calcium diet

toxic component in batteries

Alkaline chemicals

potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide

mechanism of action in batteries

causes corrosive injury on contact to tissues through liquefaction necrosis

clinical signs of battery exposure

abrasion/ulceration on the tongue

drooling

lethargy

anorexia

vomiting

onset of battery exposure is

12hrs after

diagnosis for battery toxicity

radiographs

endoscopy to assess for GI ulcerations

treatment for battery toxicity

drink water or milk immediately after exposure

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING

can pass it but requires aggressive GI protectants and care