Zinc Phosphide Flashcards Preview

RUSVM Toxicology 2016 > Zinc Phosphide > Flashcards

Flashcards in Zinc Phosphide Deck (19)
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1
Q

What products is Zinc Phosphide used in?

A

Restricted Use Products

2
Q

What are the sources of Zinc Phosphide?

A

Accidental ingestion of baits
Ingestion of poisoned rodents
Cages birds can get poisoned by ingestion of food contaminated by the feet of rodents
Malicious poisoning

3
Q

What are the properties of Zinc Phosphide?

A

Gray-black powder with acetylene odor (dead fish)
Stable when dry but decomposes in air within 2 weeks
Liberates phosphine gas (PH3) under acidic conditions
Insoluble in water
Irritant

4
Q

What is a property of phosphine gas?

A

Toxic and flammable

5
Q

What is the acute toxicity of zinc phosphide due to?

A

Phosphine gas

6
Q

What enhances the toxicity of zinc phosphide?

A

Gastric Acid

7
Q

What are the toxicokinetics of zinc phosphide?

A

Gastric acid causes hydrolysis of zinc phosphide to phsophine gas

8
Q

What decreases the toxicity of zinc phosphide?

A

Vomiting or alkaline stomach pH

9
Q

How can phosphine gas be absorbed?

A

Inhalation
GI Tract
Skin

10
Q

What is dangerous of about Phosphine gas excretion?

A

Can be excreted by the lungs - Dangerous for personnel!

11
Q

What is the mechanism of Action of zinc phosphide?

A

Direct irritation of GI mucosa from Zinc Phosphide

inhibits oxidative phosphorylation and cellular energy production

12
Q

What tissues are effected the most by zinc phosphide?

A

tissues with high oxygen demand (heart, kidney, liver, lung)

13
Q

What are the clinical signs of Zinc phosphide?

A

Anorexia
Vomiting with blood
Abdominal pain and bloat in cattle
Increased rate and depth of respiration, wheezing, and dyspnea
Compulsive hypermotility (“mad dog running”)
yelping convulsions

14
Q

What usually is the cause of death due to zinc phosphide?

A

Tissue Anoxia

15
Q

What are the lesions seen with zinc phosphide?

A

Acetylene, garlic, fishy odor of vomitus/GI contents
Gastroenteritis (may be hemorrhagic)
Congestion of liver/kidney/lungs

16
Q

What are the laboratory findings for zinc phosphide toxicosis?

A

Metabolic acidosis
dehydration
hypocalcemia
elevated serum zinc

17
Q

What is the treatment for Zinc Phosphide toxicosis?

A

Good ventilation
decontamination: Emetics and gastric lavage with sodium bicarbonate
Antacids to raise the gastric pH
Symptomatic treatment

18
Q

What is the symptomatic treatment of Zinc Phosphide toxicosis?

A
IV Fluids
Oxygen 
Calcium gluconate for hypocalcemia  
Treat seizures or muscle tremors
Treat GI mucosal damage
19
Q

What is the prognosis for zinc phosphide toxicosis?

A

If no signs by 8-12 hours post ingestion or 12-24 hrs after vomiting
Animals with severe signs have a guarded to poor prognosis