Poisoning in animals

 ⚠Poisoning in animals:

◻Poisons are substances that cause disturbances in animal body by chemical reaction or other activities , when vital organ of animal bod y absorbs a sufficient quantity of poison .

⭕Three Main Principles of treatment in cases of poisoning :

1- Removal of the residual poison from the alimentary tract or skin. 

2- Provision of chemical and physiological antidotes to the poison that has been absorbed 

3- Effective supportive care, nursing, and convalescent care. 

▶In farm animals

🔵Gastric lavage and emetics are of little or no practical value and the removal of residual poison from the alimentary tract depends largely upon the use of adsorbents and purgatives.

🔻The only effective adsorbent is activated charcoal. The dose rate is 1-3 g/kg BW

🔻A purgative is necessary to remove the combined adsorbent and poison;it can be administered simultaneously with the adsorbent. 

🔻The non-absorbable oil purgatives(e.g. mineral oil) are preferable in case of irritant  

poison

🔻Saline purgatives (sodium sulfate) are of value in the treatment of non-irritant poisons such as cyanogenetic glucosides. 

🧪Antidote are substances which oppose the effects of poisons without causing damage to body 

🔴Types of Antidotes 

1_Mechanical or physical antidote: 

🔹These substances prevents the absorption of poison by their presence eg:demulcents(fats, oils, milk, egg albumin) are used for corrosive and irritant poisoning

🔘Activated charcoal is used for strychnine and mineral poisoning. 

2_Chemical antidotes: 

🔹These substances neutralize the chemical action or oxidize the poison into nontoxic or insoluble form eg: Dilute acetic acid ,dilute alkali(milk of magnesia),tannin(strong tea),potassium permanganate 

3_Physiological or pharmacological antidotes 

🔹These produce action or effects opposite to that by poison eg:atropine and oximes for organophosphorous poison,naloxone for morphine, N-acetylcysteine for acetaminophen

4_Chelating antidote : 

🔹These are substances which produce form chelates(non ionized complexes) with cations these are mostly used in heavy metal poisoning eg:

🔶EDTA is used in Arsenic,mercury,lead 

🔸BAL(dimercaptopropanol) is used in heavy metal poisons 

🔸Versenate is used in Arsenic,mercury and lead 

5_Universal Antidote:

🔹It is Given when unknown poison is ingested 

💊Composition:

(1)_Powdered charcoal 2 parts 

(2)_Magnesium oxide 1 part 

(3)_Tannic acid 1 part

Dr Abuzar Ghaffari 

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