VPT 421: Veterinary Toxicology (2+0)

THALLIUM

• It is a cellular poison affecting all species.
• Toxicity is related to inhibition of sulphur containing compounds.
• The symptoms include gastroenteritis, abdominal pain, dyspnoea, blindness, fever, conjunctivitis, gingivitis, tremors and seizures.
• Necrosis of many tissues is a common necropsy finding.
• Eleveated levels of thallium in urine faeces and tissue provides a confirmative evidence for thallium poisoning.
• Treatment is symptomatic.
• Emetics, lavage with sodium iodide are useful.
• Diphenylthiocarbazone is antidotal in nature, but must be given within 24 hours.
• To prevent enterohepatic recycling prussian blue can be given.