-
Recent Posts
Archives
- October 2022
- August 2022
- May 2022
- March 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- September 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- June 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- June 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- December 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- November 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- March 2013
- January 2013
- November 2012
- October 2012
- July 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
Categories
Dog Recovers from Insecticide Toxicity with Intravenous Lipid Emulsion
Raisin is a 7-year-old, female spayed, Collie Mix that was referred to us for further treatment after ingestion of a toxic dose of abamectin insecticide (InVict insect paste). This is in the macrolide class of insecticides, and at high doses, crosses the blood-brain barrier, binds to glutamate-gated chloride channels, causes hyperpolarization, prevents nerve conduction, and ultimately can lead to paralysis and death. There is no specific antidote, and traditionally is monitored with supportive care, treatment of seizures, and mechanical ventilation if needed. More recently, intravenous lipid emulsion has become an effective treatment option for animals with toxicities.
Raisin’s clinical signs on presentation included vomiting, hypersalivation, pupil dilation, blindness, mild head tremors, weakness, and mental dullness. In worse cases, dogs can develop seizures and become comatose. We used intravenous lipid emulsion to treat Raisin through her toxicity. She initially received boluses (higher dose over 1 hour), then would relapse clinical signs, so was maintained on a continuous low dose infusion for 40 hours, after which she was weaned off, and had only mild clinical signs. She was discharged 4 days after admit, and on recheck one week later was fully recovered and back to normal.
Intravenous lipid emulsion’s primary mechanism of action is acting as a lipid sink for lipid soluble drugs, drawing them away from the brain into the blood, where they do not exert toxic effects, until the drug can be metabolized/excreted and is below a toxic level. There are other theoretical mechanisms of action. Side effects include lipemia (fat in the blood), and in people, they can develop pancreatitis and fat emboli, but we have not appreciated this to be a clinical problem in dogs and cats.
Raisin is also a special case, due to her genetics, she carries an MDR1 gene mutation, which codes for a protein pump in the brain. This gene mutation makes her particularly more sensitive to drugs that affect the brain, like the macrolides. Although she had a toxic dose of the drug, her genetics made her even more sensitive to the drug. We tested for this in Raisin due to her breed and the known prevalence of this mutation in Collies.
The treatment was a success! The owners were very worried about Raisin when she first presented, and concerned about her long-term expectations, but they are so happy to have Raisin fully normal and back home to her family!
Barbara Maton, DVM, DACVECC
Dr. Maton is originally from Florida, where she earned her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of North Florida, and studied veterinary medicine at the University of Florida, obtaining her DVM in 2006. She completed a rotating internship focused on emergency medicine at SouthPaws Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Center in Virginia, then moved to Pittsburgh where she worked as an emergency veterinarian for two years and completed her residency in the specialty in 2012. After helping to start a critical care service at an established veterinary referral hospital in Delaware, she joined NorthStar VETS in 2014. Her clinical and research interests include trauma, electrolyte derangements, anticoagulant therapies and CPR medicine.
The information presented on this web site is not intended to take the place of your family veterinarian’s advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Discuss this information with your own veterinarian to determine what is right for your pet. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. We can not and do not give you medical advice via this blog. The information contained in this online site and emails is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad understanding and knowledge. The information should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or advice of your veterinarian. We do not recommend the self-management of your pet’s health problems.
This entry was posted in Veterinary Medicine and tagged abamectin insecticide, Barbara Maton, dog, emergency, intravenous lipid emulsion, NorthStar VETS. Bookmark the permalink.
Leave a Reply