Organophosphate Toxicity

Recently we had a couple cases at the clinic involving puppies exhibiting signs of sickness and weakness.  The pups had been vomiting, having diarrhea, and showing signs of weakness and lack of coordination.  At first the signs and symptoms seemed to point towards Parvovirus, a common but very serious disease often seen in puppies.  After checking the puppies' records, it was brought to our attention that both were up to date on Parvovirus vaccinations.  The pups were tested anyway to be safe, and sure enough both were negative for Parvo.  The owners of one puppy said they had applied a topical flea medication and saw symptoms shortly after.  The owners of the second puppy had applied Seven dust in order to rid of a flea infestation.  The veterinarian dealing with the cases immediately knew what was the cause of the problem.  He diagnosed the pups with organophosphate toxicity or in other words, insecticide poisoning.  Organophosphate poisoning results from overexposure to organophosphates by inhalation, ingestion, or dermal contact.  These compounds are a diverse group of chemicals used in both domestic and industrial settings.  Examples include insecticides, herbicides, nerve gases, ophthalmic agents, and anthelmintics.  The most common form of organophosphates that pets are exposed to are found in lawn and garden treatments and flea and tick treatments.  Organophosphates work by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme critical for nerve function.  Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase causes an accumulation of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, in the body, which results in nerve and muscle overstimulation.  Some noticeable symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, seizures, muscle tremors, hypersalivation, constricted pupils, increased heart rate, lack of coordination, and respiratory failure.  Once diagnosed with organophosphate poisoning, the animal needs to be stabilized, decontaminated, and treated.  Treatment includes the following, bathing the animal to remove remaining chemical residue, inducing vomiting to flush out the stomach if poison was ingested, administering IV fluids, and administering drugs such as atropine to counteract the effect that organophosphates have on the nervous system.  Despite the large variety and widespread use of organophosphates, poisoning can be prevented.  Insecticides and other organophosphates should be researched and labels should be followed correctly before using in the home, on the lawn, in the garden, or on pets. 

A Lesson Lived Is A Lesson Learned

One thing I love about working at the clinic is hearing all about the veterinarians wild tales of things that have happened to them during their years of practice.  Recently one of the veterinarians was telling a story about drawing blood on a horse for a Coggins test.  It was nothing too exciting, just a quick stick and everyone would be on their way.  When he went outside the clinic, the owner had not yet unloaded the horse.  The veterinarian asked the owner to unload the horse, but he insisted that it would be much easier and quicker just to draw blood from inside the trailer.  The veterinarian stepped inside the trailer and slowly approached the horse.  The horse, seeing and unfamiliar person coming toward him, began to panic.  The vet and owner tried to calm the horse down, but it began to frantically pull against the trailer tie.  Suddenly the horse swung its head to one side and snapped the tie.  The horse's face collided with the side of the veterinarian's head and knocked him out cold.  He had to be dragged from the trailer to avoid being trampled.  He woke up outside the trailer with a swollen face, a pounding headache, and a concussion.  The vet said he learned the hard way never to get inside a trailer to mess with a horse.

Just this week a client brought in a horse for a Coggins test.  The veterinary technician was sent out to draw the blood and I went along to help.  It was pouring down rain outside and the owner had not unloaded the horse.  The veterinarian's story ran through my head.  The owner said that since it was raining we could draw blood from inside the trailer.  We stepped into the back of the trailer to get out of the rain, but the veterinary technician suggested that it would be safer to work outside even though it was raining.  The owner insisted that we would be fine and proceeded to untie the horse, but just as he loosened the rope the horse spooked and ran backwards.  The vet tech and I scurried to get out of the way just as the horse slipped and toppled backwards out of the trailer.  The horse regained its footing and luckily wasn't hurt, but the vet tech and I got quite a scare.  I think it's safe to say I learned my lesson and will never again get in an unfamiliar horse trailer again.