Page 32 - Veterinary Toxicology, Basic and Clinical Principles, 3rd Edition

VetBooks.ir

Preface

Veterinary toxicology is a very complex, yet fascinating of pet food. Similar recalls occurred in Asia and South
subject, as it deals with a wide variety of poisons of Africa. In 2008, just prior to an international polo event
chemical, plant, and animal origins, as well as drugs of in Florida, 21 horses from a Brazilian team died acutely
use and abuse. Presently, synthetic compounds constitute due to an overdose of selenium. In 2010, the Deepwater
the largest number of chemicals that are frequently Horizon oil rig explosion killed 11 workers. The subse-
encountered in animal poisonings. The subject of veteri- quent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico caused death, or
nary toxicology is complicated greatly by the wide varia- affected the lives, of millions of birds, fish, and other spe-
tions in responses of domestic, companion, aquatic, wild, cies, including dolphins, costing billions of dollars. On
and zoo species to toxicants. Of course, environmental March 11, 2011, a severe earthquake and subsequent tsu-
and many other factors may be involved in the overall nami that struck Japan led to the deaths of thousands of
toxicity of a chemical. In the last few decades, veterinary humans and animals. As a result of the tsunami and after-
toxicologists have faced the enormous task of dealing shocks, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant was
with a flood of new farm chemicals and household pro- severely damaged. The deaths of many companion ani-
ducts. Understanding the complete profile (especially mals occurred within a few days from excess radiation
mechanisms of toxicity) of each toxicant is the biggest exposure. A large number of surviving abandoned live-
challenge for today’s veterinary toxicologists. Highly sen- stock, horses, and companion animals in the danger zone
sitive analytical techniques for residue detection, toxicoki- continue to suffer from cancer and other radiation-related
netics, and physiologically based pharmacokinetic complications. Currently, due to ongoing political unrest
modeling, biomarkers of exposure, effects and susceptibil- in Syria, thousands of humans and animals have died
ity, and the concept of adverse outcome pathway comes from chemical warfare agent (chlorine, sarin, and possibly
into play when resolving many toxicological issues, such others) exposure, and the chemical attacks are still taking
as delineating underlying mechanisms, prompt and accu- place on a regular basis.
rate diagnosis, and development of antidotal treatment. Evidently, from time to time, unusual toxicological
st
By the turn of the 21 century, we began to face new problems are encountered on a small or large scale, and
problems. For example, on September 11, 2001, a large that trend will most likely continue in the future.
number of pets died from the collapse of the World Trade Toxicological problems are often exacerbated by harsh
Center in New York City, while those that survived suf- weather conditions, especially in livestock species.
fered from a variety of illnesses (Ground Zero illnesses) Around the world, animals and humans are living in a
caused by the dust, debris, and toxic chemicals. In 2005, more polluted environment today than ever before. Many
two major hurricanes (Katrina and Rita) devastated the of the toxicological problems are global, while others are
lives of many animals in the Gulf Coast states of regional. Unfortunately, the availability of antidotes for
Louisiana and Mississippi. Thousands of animals died, common poisons is still obscure and often delayed. Thus,
while a large number of others suffered from intoxication veterinary toxicologists have a tremendous task ahead to
st
with high levels of metals, pesticides, algal toxins, and face the new challenges of the 21 century.
many other unidentified toxic substances. Again, in 2017, The first edition of Veterinary Toxicology: Basic and
multiple hurricanes have affected the lives of thousands Clinical Principles was prepared to offer a comprehensive
of animals in the US. resource to veterinary toxicologists, students, teachers,
In early 2007, melamine became a household name clinicians, nutritionists, animal health scientists, and envir-
for pet owners in the United States because many dogs onmentalists. In 2012, the 2nd edition was prepared to
and cats died from renal failure, while hundreds were maintain the same temper, yet was more student-teacher-
sickened due to the consumption of food imported from friendly and targeted primarily for the classroom. Many
China tainted with melamine and other co-contaminants. new chapters were added, identifying unique problems
Regulatory action of the U.S. Food and Drug pertinent to Europe, Asia, and Africa. During the last
Administration led to the recall of more than 150 brands 5 years, the book has captured its image as a Gold

xxxi