This document discusses common toxicities and provides guidance on assessing and treating toxic exposures in animals. It defines different types of toxicants and their effects. Key points covered include the assessment of an exposed animal's condition, treatment options like decontamination, induced vomiting and activated charcoal administration. Specific toxic hazards from household chemicals, plants, foods and medications are described. The importance of considering the toxicant when determining treatment is emphasized.

1. Common Toxicities

2.  Toxicant: “Any substance that when introduced
into or applied to the body can interfere with the
life processes of cells or the organism.”
 Toxin: “A noxious or poisonous substance that is
formed or elaborated during the metabolism and
growth of …animal species.”
 Decontamination: “the process of removing or
neutralizing injurious agents.”
Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, 6th
Ed.
McCurnin & Bassert

3.  Corrosive: (also caustic) “highly reactive
substance that causes damage to living
tissue.”
 Emesis: Act of vomiting
 Demulcents: a medication that is soothing
or bland in nature

4.  Cardiotoxic:
Compound that is toxic to cardiac tissues
 Hepatotoxic:
Compound that is toxic to liver tissues
 Nephrotoxic:
Compound that is toxic to renal tissues

5. 1. What is the current clinical status?
2. What was animal exposed to and by what route?
3. Did owner take any steps to treat?
4. Age and weight of animal
5. How much was ingested; when was exposure?
6. Any history of medical problems; recent
surgeries; on medications?

6. 1. Assess patient’s condition:
1. Respiratory rate, CRT, mucous membrane
color, heart rate, temperature;
2. If seizing, assess while stabilizing animal
2. Treat the patient:
1. Provide patent airway; CPR if necessary

7. Occular exposure: via the eye
Treatment: flush eyes repeatedly with water or
saline solution for 30 minutes
Dermal exposure: via the skin
Treatment: bathe in mild liquid dish detergent;
repeat as necessary & towel dry

8. Oral ingestion: via the mouth (most common route)
Treatment options:
1. Dilution: performed with milk or water.
Recommended in cases of corrosive ingestion.
Usual dosage is 1-3 ml/lb of animal.
2. Gastric Lavage: uses warm water plus
something to change the pH
3.. Induce vomiting (emesis)

9. Emesis:
 Determined by species, length of time
since
ingestion & type of poison
 Productive only within 3 hours of
ingestion
DO NOTDO NOT induce vomiting in animals with a history of
cardiovascular disease, epilepsy or recent GI surgery;
or those in a coma or severely depressed; or if the animal
is hyperactive or has recently vomited.
Dogs, cat, pigs & ferrets
have the ability to vomit

10. THE TOXICANT MATTERS!
When NOT to induce vomiting:
1. Corrosive material
(results in re-exposure of esophageal tissues)
2. Hydrocarbon-containing materials (ex. gasoline, fuel
oil, propane, kerosene (possible aspiration of
toxicant)
Instead of inducing emesis, dilute with water or milk;
use demulcents & GI protectants

11. 1. 3% Hydrogen Peroxide solution
- 1 tsp per 5lbs. Usually works within 15-20 minutes
2. Syrup of Ipecac (NEVER Fluid of Ipecac)
- Caution, can cause cardiovascular problems
3. Apomorphine Hydrochloride
- Injectable solution or capsule for conjunctival use

12. 4. Activated Charcoal
- Made into a slurry with water, administered
via large syringe or stomach tube. Don’t use
with caustic materials, ethanol, heavy metals
4. Enemas
- Use when you want to eliminate toxicants
from lower GI tract. NEVER use premixed
human enema solutions

13. Household (indoor &
outdoor)
Plants
Food
Pharmaceuticals

14. www.aspca.org/apcc

15. 1. Acids (Toilet bowl cleaners, drain openers, metal
cleaners, anti-rust compounds, pool sanitizers)
Signs: tissue damage at site of contact & in GI
tract; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney damage
2. Alkali (Oven cleaners, bleach, denture cleaner, hair
relaxers, electric dishwashing soaps, cement)
Signs: lesions are deeper than acid
compounds; esophageal ulcers or perforations

16. 3. Detergents (shampoos, laundry detergent)
- Low in toxicity when used alone; can be
caustic with other substances
4. Fabric Softeners, Potpourri oil, hair
mousse, disinfectants, sanitizers
- Rapidly absorbed, can produce systemic
toxicity,oral ulcers, stomatitis in cats – even
in low doses

17. 5. Batteries
Contain alkaline compounds; causes burns,
and battery casing cause GI obstruction or
lacerations
5. Pennies
Pennies minted post 1983 contain 99.2%
zinc. In stomach gastric acids leach zinc,
gets absorbed in blood stream & causes
intravascular hemolysis

18. 7. Cigarettes/Nicotine
Signs develop within 45 mins;
excitation, tachypnea, salivation,
collapse, cardiac arrest, death
7. Mothballs
Contain naphthalene or
paradichlorobenzene. VERY toxic to
cats, causes Heinz bodies

19. 9. Ice Melt
High in NaCl; can cause fatal
hypernatremia; signs include twitching,
PU/PD
9. Metaldehyde (snail, slug bait)
Signs within minutes; hypersalivation, GI
cramping, severe seizures, nystagmus

20. 11. Rodenticide
(Anticoagulants) Warfarin – anticoagulant,
blocks Vitamin K clotting factor
Signs within 5-10 days include hemorraghing,
pale mucuous membranes, weakness, coughing.
Treatment includes blood transfusion, oral or SQ
Vitamin K

21. 11. Rodenticides
(Hypercalcemia-inducing) Cholecalciferol -
enhances absorption of calcium from intestines,
causing calcium deposits in kidneys;
Signs: renal failure, V/D; PU/PD; renal failure
within 2 days.
Treatment includes inducing vomiting within 4
hours of ingestion. After 4 hours use activated
charcoal

22. 12.Antifreeze
Contain methanol, propylene glycol or ethylene glycol.
Ethylene glycol is most dangerous form
Sweet, palatable
1½ tsp. can kill a cat; ½ cup can kill a 20lb dog
CLINICAL
PHASE 1
1st hour: animal appears drunk
12 hours: V/D, PU/PD, ataxia, depression, seizures
CLINICAL
PHASE 2
24-96 hours: CaOx crystals form in renal tubules
Renal failure begins
TREATMENT IS ONLY EFFECTIVE IN CLINICAL PHASE 1

23. Cardiotoxic Plants:
 Rhododendron (incl. azaleas) – signs within 4-12 hrs
 Oleander, Lily of the Valley, Foxglove – entire plant is
toxic
 Castor Beans – contain Ricin; entire plant is toxic, but
seeds have highest amount of ricin. 1 ricin seed can kill a
human
 Kalanchoe – leaves and stems are toxic to dogs & cats

24. Nephrotoxic Plants:
 All Lilies (Easter, Tiger, Day, etc.) – even minor
exposure can cause toxicosis.
Consider all feline exposure to lilies life threatening!
Death can occur 3-6 days post ingestion
 Rhubarb – leaves only

25. Hepatotoxic Plants:
Cycads
Mushrooms

26. Moldy Food
contain Mycotoxins; grows on grains, nuts, dairy, found
in compost piles; muscle tremors & seizures
Raw Yeast Dough – secretes ethanol as it rises; rises
faster inside body because of temperature, ethanol is
absorbed in blood stream, causes GDV/Bloat; blindness,
cardiac arrest, death

27. Grapes and Raisins
Toxic pathway remains unknown, but is under
current investigation by ASPCA
Causes acute renal failure in dogs
Initial clinical symptoms: Vomiting, Diarrhea
Life threatening renal failure usually occurs
within 24 hours

28. Chocolate
Toxic Ingredient: Theobromine
 CNS and CV stimulant
 increases blood pressure
Clinical Signs: excitement, trembling, vomiting,
muscle spasms, seizures
Beware Cocoa Mulch!

29. Theobromine Concentrations
Milk chocolate: 44mg/oz.
(1 oz per 1 lb of body weight)
Semisweet chocolate: 150mg/oz.
(1 oz per 3 lbs of body weight)
Baker's chocolate: 390mg/oz.
(1 oz per 9 lbs of body weight)

30. Garlic, Onions –
(raw, cooked or onion/garlic powder)
Toxic Ingredient: Thiosulphate
Poisoning can occur with a single
ingestion of large quantities or with
repeated meals containing small
amounts of onion.
Toxic amount is unknown

31. Onion or garlic toxicity
may cause hemolytic
anemia or Heinz body
formation.
Source: University of Georgia
College of Veterinary Medicine
Caution

32. High Fat Foods – Acute pancreatitis
HOLIDAYS!

33.  Alcohol
 Avocado
 Macadamia Nuts and Walnuts
 Coffee and all caffeinated beverages
 Salt
 Xylitol sweetened foods

34. 1. Acetaminophen
Liver toxic in dogs; even low doses are toxic to
cats. Signs: depression, dyspnea, icterus, facial
or paw edema
2. Ibuprofen
Causes renal damage, CNS damage, seizures,
ataxia, coma in dogs. Cats are twice as sensitive.
Most common signs: bloody diarrhea, PU/PD

35. 3. Aspirin
Extreme caution in cats. Can kill them.
4. Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine
Stimulants found in OTC cold meds and nasal
decongestants. Causes kidney failure
5. Psoriasis Medicines
Causes hypercalcemia which shuts down kidneys
and heart

36. TOXICITIES PROJECT