Brodifacoum toxicosis in two horses.
Abstract: Increased popularity during the past decade of brodifacoum, an anticoagulant rodenticide, has led to an increase in cases of accidental poisoning in nontarget species, including pets and farm animals. Pharmacokinetics of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides such as brodifacoum are substantially different from those of first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides such as warfarin. This difference dramatically influences management of exposure in terms of duration and cost of treatment and may affect outcome. The National Poison Control Center reports that approximately 50 cases of brodifacoum exposure have occurred in horses between 1993 and 1997. To our knowledge, this report is the first complete clinical description of accidental ingestion of a potentially lethal dose of brodifacoum in horses. Early recognition of exposure to brodifacoum, subsequent treatment with adequate doses of vitamin K1, and sequential monitoring of clotting times and serum brodifacoum concentration permitted poisoning in these horses to be managed successfully.
Publication Date: 1997-10-23 PubMed ID: 9333092
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Summary
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The study explores the increasing cases of accidental poisoning in horses due to brodifacoum, a second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide. It establishes how its pharmacokinetics differs from first-generation rodenticides like warfarin, influencing the management and outcome of exposure. The paper provides the first complete clinical description of the accidental consumption of a potentially lethal dose of brodifacoum in horses, highlighting the importance of early detection, treatment with vitamin K1 and sequential monitoring for successful management.
Introduction to Brodifacoum
- Brodifacoum is an anticoagulant rodenticide that has become increasingly popular over the last decade.
- This popularity has led to an increase in accidental poisoning in non-target species, i.e., species that are not intended to be poisoned. This includes pets and farm animals like horses.
Pharmacokinetics of Second-Generation Anticoagulants
- The pharmacokinetics of second-generation anticoagulants like brodifacoum is quite different from first-generation anticoagulants like warfarin. Pharmacokinetics involves the movements of drugs within the body and how they are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted.
- The difference in pharmacokinetics between the two generations of anticoagulants greatly influences the management of exposure in terms of treatment duration and cost, also possibly affecting the eventual outcome.
Accidents Involving Horses
- The National Poison Control Center has reported around 50 cases of brodifacoum exposure in horses between 1993 and 1997.
- This document provides the first comprehensive clinical description of what happens when horses accidentally ingest lethal doses of brodifacoum.
Treatment and Management of Poisoning
- The research highlights the importance of early recognition of exposure to brodifacoum in cases of poisoning.
- The study suggests that the treatment should involve administration of adequate doses of vitamin K1, which is an antidote for brodifacoum poisoning. By increasing the blood’s ability to clot, Vitamin K1 counteracts the anticoagulant effects of brodifacoum.
- Close and sequential monitoring of the clotting times and serum brodifacoum concentration is essential for effective management of the poisoning.
- By following these steps, the incidents of poisoning in the studied horses were successfully managed.
Cite This Article
APA
McConnico RS, Copedge K, Bischoff KL.
(1997).
Brodifacoum toxicosis in two horses.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 211(7), 882-886.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078, USA.
MeSH Terms
- 4-Hydroxycoumarins / pharmacokinetics
- 4-Hydroxycoumarins / poisoning
- Animals
- Anticoagulants / pharmacokinetics
- Anticoagulants / poisoning
- Blood Coagulation / drug effects
- Blood Coagulation / physiology
- Half-Life
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Male
- Partial Thromboplastin Time / veterinary
- Poisoning / blood
- Poisoning / drug therapy
- Poisoning / veterinary
- Prothrombin Time / veterinary
- Rodenticides / pharmacokinetics
- Rodenticides / poisoning
- United States / epidemiology
- Vitamin K / therapeutic use
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Rached A, Moriceau MA, Serfaty X, Lefebvre S, Lattard V. Biomarkers Potency to Monitor Non-target Fauna Poisoning by Anticoagulant Rodenticides. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:616276.
- Zakian A, Mami S, Nouri M, Jalali SM, Tehrani-Sharif M. Brodifacoum toxicosis and abortion in an Arabian mare. Vet Res Forum 2019 Spring;10(2):173-176.
- Ayala I, Rodríguez MJ, Martos N, Zilberschtein J, Ruíz I, Motas M. Fatal brodifacoum poisoning in a pony. Can Vet J 2007 Jun;48(6):627-9.
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