Jagadeeswaran Appusamy

Salt Toxicity Introduction             Salt toxicity (sodium chloride, NaCl), which is more appropriately called “water deprivation sodium ion toxicosis” can result when excessive quantities of salt are ingested and intake of potable water is limited. Salt toxicity is unlikely to occur as long as salt-regulating mechanisms are intact and fresh drinking water is available. It has been reported virtually in all species of animals all over the world. It is more common in swine (the most sensitive species), cattle, and poultry. Sheep are relatively resistant. The acute oral lethal dose of salt is 2.2 g/kg in swine and 6.0 g/kg in sheep. Etiology             Salt toxicity is directly related to water consumption. Water intake in animals can be reduced significantly or abolished completely due to factors such as mechanical failure of waterers, overcrowding, unpalatabl...

Strychnine Poisoning Introduction             Strychnine is a bitter indole alkaloid obtained from the seeds of the Indian tree Strychnos nux-vomica and Strychnos ignatii . . These vine-like trees are indigenous to some southeast Asian countries and northern Australia. All parts of S. nux-vomica and S. ignatii may contain strychnine and brucine (dimethoxystrychnine), a related but less potent alkaloid. Dried seeds from S. nux-vomica have been used to make extracts, powders, and tinctures of strychnine alkaloid. These preparations have been used as bitters, cathartics, tonics, stimulants, and ruminatorics in the past, but now their use is considered ineffective and dangerous. The strychnine content of the dried seeds usually varies from 1% to 2%. Strychnine-containing baits are mostly used to poison birds, gophers, mice, moles, rats, rabbits, porcupines, and wild carnivores such as coyotes, foxes, and wolves. Bait p...

Fluorosis Fluorosis is a chronic disease caused by the continued ingestion of small but toxic amounts of fluorine in the diet or drinking water over a long duration leading to the cumulative effect, while acute poisoning occurs due to inhalation of fluorine containing gases by smoke, vapours, dust from industries of aluminium, copper, glass, enamel, iron, steel and super phosphate. Dusts from volcanic eruptions also contain large amount of fluorine. Accidental administration of large amount of fluorine leads to fluorosis. Fluorides are widely distributed in the environment and originate naturally from rocks and soil or from industrial processes. Water supplies for human consumption have been adjusted to contain 1 ppm to prevent dental caries. Fluorine at 1-2 ppm in animal rations is considered adequate. The maximal tolerable level varies with the species, e.g., 40-50 ppm for cattle and horses, and 200 ppm for chickens. Etiology Toxic quantities of fluorides occur natural...