The third type of animal poisoning is marked by common clinical symptoms or by localization of the principal pathological process. It may also originate from poisonous plants and fungi or from mineral poisons. Poisoning in animals may be caused by food, medicine, or the bites of poisonous animals.
There is no generally accepted classification. Poisoning in animals is generally external in origin for example, it can result from inhalation of contaminated air, or it can occur through the skin. Domestic poisoning is prevented by keeping medications and strong solutions away from children and by keeping flue systems, geysers, and ranges in good working order. Occupational poisoning may be prevented by observing rules of hygiene in industry and by having regular medical examinations. In hospitals, forced diuresis is used in order to discharge the poison circulating in the blood as soon as possible with some types of poisoning, an artificial kidney is employed. If breathing ceases or the heart stops beating, artificial respiration or indirect heart massage must be administered. The stomach should be irrigated, vomiting should be induced, a purgative should be administered, and an enema should be given in order to evacuate unabsorbed poison as quickly as possible. Emergency treatment should begin before the physician arrives. Resorptive symptoms produced by absorption of poison are diverse, since they depend on affection of the liver, kidneys, blood, and the central and peripheral nervous systems.Īcute poisoning is often accompanied by dangerous disruptions of respiration, blood circulation, and the functioning of the liver. Localized symptoms are caused by the action of the poison on the skin, respiratory tract, or mucosa of the stomach or small intestine. Carbon-monoxide poisoning is very common both in industry and in everyday life. Thus, poisoning from sleep-inducing drugs, organophosphorus compounds, and narcotics has replaced domestic poisoning from caustics, which was very common in the past. The frequency of a given type of poisoning depends on the season, geographic region, availability of certain drugs, and many other factors. The same poison, for example, lead, may cause either occupational or domestic poisoning cases of chronic lead poisoning have been reported from the use of jam stored in unfired clay jars whose glaze contained lead. Poisoning may be domestic, medicinal, or occupational. In such cases, the poison accumulates within the body, resulting in harmful consequences. Chronic poisoning results from the prolonged action of poison in small doses or in concentrations examples are the lead poisoning of typesetters and the mercury poisoning among workers employed in the manufacture of thermometers. Acute poisoning is usually the immediate result of the action of massive doses of poison and is often accompanied by disruption of the functions of the vital organs. Poisoning in humans may be acute or chronic. A morbid condition caused by the action of poison on the body and accompanied by disruption of bodily systems and functions.