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Pharmacology, Pharmacotherapy and Toxicology II

Course developers

Prior knowledge

BiolB010, Botany and Pharmacognosy

Ķīmi1028, Inorganic Chemistry

Ķīmi3004, Biochemistry

Vete4105, Pharmacology, Pharmacotherapy and Toxicology I

VeteB001, Latin Language in Veterinary Medicine

VeteB004, Anatomy of the Domestic Animals III

VeteB006, Forage Production and Animal Nutrition III

VeteB010, Physiology II

VeteB030, Clinical and Laboratory Diagnostics III

VeteB034, Internal Medicine, Herd Health II

VeteB038, Small Animal Internal Medicine II

VeteB041, Pathology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine II

Replaced course

Vete6038 [GVET6038] Pharmacology, Pharmacotherapy and Toxicology II

Course abstract

The aim of the study course sub-programme Toxicology is to learn the basic questions of general toxicology: ways of entry, spread, exposure and release of poisonous substances in the animal body; laboratory diagnostic methods of toxic effect of substances, general principles of toxicosis treatment.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge: of distribution, influence and elimination of poisonous substances; causes, pathogenesis, clinical findings, laboratory diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis of toxicities - Test.
Skills: to obtain anamnesis of intoxication, to make clinical examination of animals, to prepare proper samples for laboratory examination, to make a differential diagnosis of poisoning, to perform the special and general treatment procedures of poisoned animals- Practical work.
Competence: to explain the course of intoxication, to establish diagnosis of intoxication, perform the special and general treatment of poisoned animals, to prepare the plan of control of intoxication in productive animal units and limitations of the use of treated animal products for human consumption. – Test.

Course Content(Calendar)

The course is divided into two parts: 8 weeks - general issues of toxicology, toxicosis of farm animals; and 8 weeks – pet toxicosis. The course examines the following topics:
1. Basics of general and special veterinary toxicology. Terminology. Absorption, distribution, target organs, excretion of toxic substances. (2h);
2. Conventional toxicological laboratory diagnostic methods. The toxic and lethal dose of the substance. (2 hours);
3. Principles of diagnosis of intoxication. Preparation of laboratory samples. Action and emergency veterinary medical assistance in case of poisoning of an individual animal and herd. (2h);
4. Effects of environmental pollution on animals: air, feed, water pollution.
Toxic substances produced by industrial and agricultural production: pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, repellents); organic solvents (hexane, benzene, ethanol, chloroform, glycol, ethers); organic compounds and substances' combustion, decomposition products (biphenols, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur oxides, methane gases, blue-green algae toxins) (2 h);
5. Heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd, As, Cr, Cu); their effect on living organisms, diagnostics, first aid. Antidotes. Practical works (2h);
6. Food and drinking water poisoning - with feed or additives, with unsuitable or damaged products for the species. (2 hours);
7. Poisoning with mycotoxins - Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., Claviceps purpurea, etc. for toxins, with nitrites) (2h);
8. 1st Test. (1h);
9. Poisoning by wild and decorative plants (duckweed, ferns, lilies of the valley, plants of the lily family, etc.) (2h);
10. Poisoning by human food products (chocolate, spices, onions, garlic, etc.) (2 h);
11. Poisoning with household chemicals (ethylene glycol, dish disinfectants) (2 h);
12. Stomach gas poisoning. (2h);
13. Drug poisoning (NSAIDs, acetaminophen, aspirin, vitamin D, vitamin A, ivermectin, milbemycin, etc.) (2 h);
14. Pesticide poisoning (rodenticides, etc.) (2 h);
15. Poisoning by insecticides (FOS, carbamates, pyrethrins, pyrethroids) (2 h);

16. 2nd test – about toxicosis of pets (1h);

Requirements for awarding credit points

Two tests with a rating of no less than 4 points as a basis for passing (formal test with a grade). The grade is determined by the average score of 2 tests. If more than 30% of laboratory work is missed without justification, the course must be taken again.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Independently learns the identification of toxic plants, finding the Latin name and description of toxicosis in veterinary toxicology books and on the Internet, developing a plan for the treatment and prevention of toxicosis.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The tests of the study course are evaluated according to the 10-point system scale criteria specified in the LBTU Study Regulations. In order to obtain the credit of the final evaluations of the study course (formal test with a grade), the grade in points is made up of the average value of the tests. Individual questions of independent works are included in tests. Both tests must be evaluated with a passing grade.

Compulsory reading

1. Roder J. D. Veterinary Toxicology.USA: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2001. 403 p.
2. Lu F.C. Lu's Basic toxicology: fundamentals, target organs, and risk assessment. 3rd Edition. , London; New York: Taylor &Francis, 2001. 358 p.
3.Silverstein D.C., Hopper K. Small Animal Critical Care Medicine. 2nd Edition. Canada: Elsevier, 2015. 1130 p.
4. Tilley L.P., Smith F.W.K. The 5-minute veterinary consult. 2nd ed. Baltimore: Lippincott Willams & Wilkins, 2000. 1428 p.
5. Gfeller G.W., Messonnjer S.P. Handbook of Small Animal Toxicology and Poisonings. 2003.

Further reading

1. The Merck Veterinary Manual. Editor-in-chief: S.E. Aiello. 11th edition. Kenilworth : Merck Sharp & Dohme, 2016. 3325 p.
2. Radositis O.M., Gay C.C., Hinchcliff K.W., Constable P.C. Veterinary Medicine. 10th edition. Bailliere Tindall, 2008. 1435 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. The Veterinary Journal. ISSN 1090-0233
2. Journal of Toxicology. Hindawi. Pieejams: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jt/ai/

Notes

Compulsory course of second cycle professional higher education study programme Veterinary Medicine.