Strychnine Toxicosis

Strychnine Toxicosis



Basic Information image



Definition


Strychnine is a toxic alkaloid from an Indian tree, Strychnos nux-vomica, commonly used in gopher, mole, rat, and coyote bait.



Synonym(s)


Gopher bait poisoning



Epidemiology



Risk Factors




• Usually dyed and coated in milo or in pellets that look like feed to horses


• Often comes in 5-gallon buckets



Clinical Presentation



Disease Forms/Subtypes




• Low dose


• High dose



History, Chief Complaint




• Muscle stiffness


• Clinical signs within 10 to 120 minutes of ingestion


• Seizures; similar to tetanus but much quicker onset


• Sudden death



Physical Exam Findings




• Anxiety


• Muscle stiffness


• Saw-horse stance


• Strained facial expression


• Violent tetanic seizures with opisthotonus and powerful extensor rigidity


• Seizures brought on by external stimuli



Etiology and Pathophysiology




• Readily absorbed


• Metabolized by the liver


• Detected in urine within 2 minutes of exposure


• Blocks the inhibitory effects of glycine


• Skeletal muscles become hyperexcitable


• Potent convulsant with powerful extensor rigidity


• Death by respiratory failure

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Jul 24, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Strychnine Toxicosis

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