VPT 421: Veterinary Toxicology (2+0)

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis is based on history, clinical symptoms, post mortem lesions, laboratory investigations like BUN, blood ammonia concentration, ruminal pH, analysis of feed, stomach and ruminal contents for urea or ammonia.

Treatment

• In animals that are not too ill, cold water-acetic acid treatment can be given. 19-38 litres of water and 3.8litres of 5% acetic acid can be administered to an adult cow. By diluting the ruminal contents and by decreasing the ruminal pH and temperature, hydrolysis of urea can be slowed.
• Hastening formation of urea from ammonia can decrease blood ammonia level. L-arginine and N-Carbamyl-L-glutamate can stimulate urea cycle. But this treatment is doubtful.
• Intravenous fluids should be administered to ensure adequate urine flow.
• If bloat is noticed, it should be treated immediately.
• Emptying the rumen provides prompt relief from urea toxicosis. But it is difficult to carry out the emptying of ruminal contents.
• Convulsions can be controlled by pentobarbital sodium administration.