VPT 421: Veterinary Toxicology (2+0)

AVICIDES

• 3-chloro-p-toludine hydrochloride and 4-aminopyridine are used as avicides.
• 3-chloro-p-toludine hydrochloride causes increased respiratory rate with mild dyspnoea in birds and death occurs in 1 – 3 days due to renal failure.
• In mammals methaemoglobinaemia, CNS depression, flaccid paralysis, hypothermia and death have been reported.
• There in no specific treatment for poisoning. 4-aminopyridine is absorbed well from the gastrointestinal tract and symptoms are noticed in 10 – 15 minutes. This drug blocks the potassium channel and increases release of acetlycholine in the synapse with enhanced neurotransmission.
• Salivation, hyperexcitability, tremors, incoordination, tonic and clonic seizures and cardiac arrhythmia have been noticed.
• Treatment is symptomatic.