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Strychnine Toxicosis 946.e3

○ Glyceryl guaiacolate (5% solution, 50 mg/ • Good prognosis if seizures are controlled SUGGESTED READING
mL) 110 mg/kg IV to effect early McLean MK, et al: Toxicology brief: epidemiology
VetBooks.ir Supportive care: PEARLS & CONSIDERATIONS Vet Med, 2010. http://veterinarymedicine. Diseases and Disorders
• Intubate and provide positive-pressure
and management of strychnine poisoning (website).
ventilation for severely affected animals.
dvm360.com/toxicology-brief-epidemiology-and-
• IV fluid diuresis (24-48 hours or longer)
• Treat hyperthermia if present Comments management-strychnine-poisoning/.
• Sporadic strychnine poisoning of animals
• Confine the patient in a dark, quiet room still occurs. ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED
(cotton balls in ears) • Strychnine is ionized in an acidic pH and READINGS
• Acidification of urine: ammonium chloride, is mainly absorbed from the small intestine Gupta RC: Non-anticoagulant rodenticides. In Gupta
100 mg/kg PO q 12h, may increase urinary and excreted in the urine. A toxic dose is RC, editor: Veterinary toxicology basic and clinical
excretion of strychnine eliminated within 24-48 hours after exposure. principles, ed 2, London, 2012, Academic Press,
• Oral lethal dose is 0.75 mg/kg for dogs and pp 698-711.
Possible Complications 2 mg/kg for cats. Morgan S, et al: Investigating a case of strychnine
• Myoglobinuria and associated renal failure ○ Ingestion of 1.7 g (1/4 teaspoon) of 0.5% poisoning. Vet Med 82:1044-1047, 1987.
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation from strychnine bait in an 11-kg (25-lb) dog Talcott PA: Strychnine. In Peterson ME, et al, editors:
Small animal toxicology, ed 2, St. Louis, 2006,
hyperthermia can be lethal. Saunders, pp 1076-1082.
Recommended Monitoring Prevention
• Body temperature Do not use strychnine-containing baits in any RELATED CLIENT EDUCATION
• Respiratory rate and character: attempt to pet’s environment. SHEET
wake animal every few hours, place back
under anesthesia if still symptomatic Technician Tips How to Induce Vomiting
• Acid-base status Provide comfortable bedding to patients requir- AUTHOR: Charlotte Means, DVM, MLIS, DABVT, DABT
ing 1-2 days of anesthesia in a quiet room, EDITOR: Tina Wismer, DVM, MS, DABVT, DABT
PROGNOSIS & OUTCOME turning frequently to prevent pressure sores
and monitoring for aspiration.
• Poor prognosis if status epilepticus uncon-
trolled by medications

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