Koncentracije kadmija i olova u tkivima dobrog (Tursiops truncatus) i plavobijelog dupina (Stenella coeruleoalba) nasukanih na hrvatskoj obali Jadranskoga mora.

Concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in the livers, kidneys and muscles of 15 bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) and two striped (Stenella coeruleoalba) dolphins, stranded dead along the Croatian Adriatic coast from 1990 to 1999. Cd concentrations (μg/g wet weight (w.w.)) ranged from 0.004 to 0.670 in muscle, from 0.004 to 1.842 in kidney and from 0.004 to 2.548 in liver tissues. Similarly, total Pb concentrations (μg/g w.w.) ranged from 0.01 to 0.46 in muscles, from 0.01 to 0.95 in kidneys and from 0.01 to 2.38 in livers. Cd and Pb concentrations revealed no significant differences between adults (n = 10; >6 years) and juveniles (n = 7; liver>muscle, which is a typical Cd distribution pattern. Significant positive correlations of Cd concentrations were found between livers and kidneys (r = 0.63, P = 0.015), and livers and muscles (r = 0.74, P = 0.0008). Furthermore, a significant positive correlation of Pb concentrations was determined between kidneys and muscles (r = 0.75, P = 0.001), opposite to the significant negative correlation between liver and muscle Pb concentrations (r = -0.66, P = 0.004). Our study reports the Cd and Pb concentrations in tissues of the most abundant delphinid species in the Adriatic Sea, sampled over a 10-year period. These data are required for future studies on toxic metal accumulations and their dynamics in Adriatic dolphins and in the Adriatic environment.Koncentracije kadmija (Cd) i olova (Pb) određene su u uzorcima jetrenog, mišićnog i bubrežnog tkiva 15 dobrih (Tursiops truncatus) i 2 plavobijela (Stenella coeruleoalba) dupina uginulih od 1990. do 1999. godine uzduž hrvatskog dijela Jadranskoga mora. Koncentracija kadmija kretala se od 0,004 do 0,670 μg/g u mišiću, 0,004 do 1,842 μg/g u bubregu i od 0,004 do 2,548 μg/g u jetri (vlažna težina). Koncentracije olova kretale su se od 0,01 do 0,46 μg/g u mišiću, od 0,01 do 0,95 μg/g u bubregu i od 0,01 do 2,38 μg/g u jetri. Razlika u koncentracijama Cd i Pb u tkivima mladih (n = 7; 6 godina) životinja nije bila statistički značajna. Srednje vrijednosti Cd kretale su se prema uobičajenoj distribuciji od najviše u bubrezima prema najnižoj u mišićima (bubrezi>jetra>mišići). Statistički značajnu pozitivnu korelaciju pokazuju koncentracija Cd u jetri i bubrezima (r = 0,63, P = 0,015) i koncentracija u jetri i mišiću (r = 0,74, P = 0,0008). Jednako tako statistički značajnu pozitivnu korelaciju pokazuju koncentracija Pb u bubrezima i u mišiću (r = 0,75, P = 0,001), dok je između jetre i mišića korelacija negativna (r = -0,66, P = 0,004). Ovim istraživanjem koje obuhvaća raspon od 10 godina određene su koncentracije Cd i Pb u tkivima najučestalijih vrsta dupina Jadranskoga mora. Utvrđene razine teških metala osnova su za buduća istraživanja njihove koncentracije i dinamike u jadranskim dupinima, ali i cjelokupnom jadranskom okolišu

Food-associated intoxication in Pets: Xylitol and Salt

Nastavno prethodnim radovima u kojima su opisana otrovanja pasa i mačaka čokoladom, kavom, grožđem te lukom i oraščićima makadamije u ovom radu opisana su otrovanja dodatcima hrani: zaslađivačem ksilitolom i narijevim kloridom (solju). Ustvrđeno je da u pasa, za razliku od ljudi, intravenozna primjena ksilitola prouzroči sekreciju inzulina koju prati pad razine glukoze u krvi, a i ingestija ksilitola povezana je s otkazivanjem funkcija jetre. Povraćanje je uobičajeno prvi znak otrovanja. Klinički znaci hipoglikemije, uključujući pospanost, ataksiju, kolaps i napadaje, mogu se razviti u roku od 30-60 minuta nakon ingestije, ali i kasnije. U pasa u kojih se razvila disfunkcija jetre mogu se vidjeti letargija, žutica, povraćanje, znaci koagulopatije. Moguća je i pojava proljeva i stvaranje plinova u crijevima, kao i smrtni ishod zbog zatajenja jetre. Liječenje se provodi, ovisno o kliničkim znacima otrovanja, intravenoznom primjenom dekstroze ili primjenom zaštitne terapije za jetru i antioksidanata ili je složenije. Otrovanje solju obično je izravno povezano s ograničenim pristupom vodi, a hipernatrijemija se zbog pretjeranog unosa soli u kućnih ljubimaca rijetko događa. Akutna toksična doza natrijevog klorida u pasa je 4 g/kg tjelesne mase, a mehanizam toksičnog učinka je složen. Klinički znaci otrovanja solju u pasa postaju vidljivi kada je serumska koncentracija natrija viša od 170 mEq/L, a teški živčani simptomi kada je viša od 180 mEq/L. Prvi znaci nakon peroralnog unosa soli u organizam su povraćanje i proljev. Ovisno o dužini izloženosti i stupnju hipernatrijemije najčešće se javljaju znaci povezani sa živčanim sustavom koji uključuju: depresiju, letargiju, ukočenost mišićja, podrhtavanje, poliuriju, polidipsiju, miokloniju, pretjerano jake reflekse, terminalne napadaje i komu. Primarni cilj terapije je eliminacija viška natrija iz organizma, odnosno polagani povratak ravnoteže vode i elektrolita. Cilj rada je informirati veterinare i vlasnike životinja o potencijalno toksičnim tvarima za kućne ljubimce kako bi mogli djelovati preventivno i izbjeći rizik od otrovanja uklanjanjem tih tvari iz njihovog dosega.Following a previous study which described poisoning with chocolate, coffee, grapes, macadamia nuts, onions and garlic, this paper described poisoning in dogs with the natural sweetener xylitol and sodium chloride (salt). It has been found that in dogs, contrary to humans, intravenous administration of xylitol causes insulin secretion followed by a decrease in blood glucose levels, and ingestion of xylitol is associated with the loss of liver function. Vomiting is often reported as the first clinical sign. Clinical signs of hypoglycaemia, including lethargy, ataxia, collapse and seizures may develop within 30-60 minutes after ingestion, though also later. In dogs with liver dysfunction, lethargy, jaundice, vomiting, signs of coagulopathy can be seen. Diarrhoea and intestinal gas production can also occur, and liver failure may potentially cause a deadly outcome. Treatment is performed by intravenous administration of dextrose or by using protective therapy for the liver and antioxidants or may be more complex, depending on the clinical signs of poisoning. Salt poisoning is usually directly related to restricted access by water and hypernatremia as excessive salt intake rarely occurs in pets. The acute toxic dose of sodium chloride in dogs is 4 g/kg of body weight, and the mechanism of the toxic effect is complex. Clinical signs of salt poisoning in dogs become apparent when the serum sodium concentration is higher than 170 mEq/L, and severe neural symptoms occur at levels greater than 180 mEq/L. The first signs after the oral intake of salt into the body are vomiting and diarrhoea. Depending on the length of exposure and the degree of hypernatremia, signs of nerve- related disorders include: depression, lethargy, muscular rigidity, tremors, polyuria, polydipsia, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, terminal seizures and coma. Elimination of excess sodium from the body is the primary goal of therapy, i.e. a slow return the animal to normal water and electrolyte balance. The aim of this paper is to raise awareness about potentially toxic substances for pets among veterinarians and animal owners, so they can act preventively by avoiding their storage in places accessible to pets

Foodstuffs toxic to dogs: macadamia nuts and onions

Među najčešća otrovanja kućnih ljubimaca spadaju otrovanja humanim lijekovima i onima koji se izdaju bez recepta, veterinarskim lijekovima, insekticidima, rodenticidima, kemikalijama koje se koriste u kućanstvima, gnojivom i kućnim biljkama, a vrlo važna su i otrovanja hranom za ljude koja može biti otrovna za pse i mačke. Različita hrana koja nije štetna za ljude ili je štetna samo u velikim količinama, može prouzročiti teška otrovanja ili čak uginuće životinja. Vlasnici životinja često nisu svjesni te činjenice i nehotice ih mogu hraniti potencijalno toksičnim tvarima, vjerujući da ono što nije štetno za njih ne može biti štetno niti za njihove ljubimce. Važan izvor informacija o otrovanjima pasa i mačaka su periodična izvješća centara za hitnu pomoć pri otrovanju kućnih ljubimaca, iz brojnih zemalja. Nastavno prethodnom radu u kojem su opisana otrovanja čokoladom, kavom, grožđem i grožđicama, koja su najčešća otrovanja hranom, u ovom radu opisana su otrovanja pasa i mačaka oraščićima makadamije, lukom i češnjakom, tj. biljkama iz roda Allium, koji se isto tako ubrajaju u 10 najznačajnijih namirnica toksičnih za kućne ljubimce. Osim mogućih izvora otrovanja, opisani su mehanizmi toksičnog djelovanja i toksične doze, znaci otrovanja te preporučeni postupci s otrovanom životinjom. Znaci otrovanja pasa oriščićima makadamije javljaju se do 12 sati nakon ingestije, a karakterističan simptom otrovanja je slabost i nemoć koja je jače izražena u stražnjim nogama. Otrovane životinje se uglavnom potpuno oporave za dva dana bez liječenja. Klinički znaci otrovanja pasa i mačaka lukom razviju se 24 sata od ingestije ili nekoliko dana kasnije, ovisno o količini pojedenog luka. Najčešći klinički znaci najprije su povraćanje, proljev, bol u trbuhu, gubitak apetita i depresija te razvoj anemije posljedica koje su blijede sluznice, slabost, ubrzano disanje, ubrzan rad srca. Žutica i tamna mokraća (crvenkasta ili smeđa posljedica su methemoglobinemije i hemoglobinurije. Cilj ovog rada je informirati veterinare i vlasnike životinja o potencijalno toksičnim tvarima za kućne ljubimce kako bi mogli djelovati preventivno i izbjeći rizik od otrovanja uklanjanjem tih tvari iz prehrane i spremanjem na mjesta koja im nisu dostupna.Pet poisoning is most common with human drugs and over-the-counter drugs, veterinary drugs, insecticides, rodenticides, household chemicals, fertilizers and houseplants. Another important source is poisoning with human foods that may be toxic for dogs and cats. Different foods that are not harmful to humans or that are harmful only in large quantities can cause severe poisoning or even death of animals. Animal owners are often unaware of this fact and inadvertently may keep potentially toxic substances, believing that what is not harmful to them cannot be harmful to their pets. Important sources of information on poisoning of dogs and cats are the periodical reports of emergency centres for pet poisoning from many countries. As a follow-up to a previous study that described poisoning with chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, as the most common sources of food poisoning, this paper describes the poisoning of dogs and cats with macadamia nuts, onions and garlic, i.e. plants of the genus Allium, which are among the 10 most toxic foods for pets. Apart from possible sources of poisoning, we describe the mechanisms of toxicity and the toxic dose, signs of poisoning, and recommended treatment of the poisoned animals. Signs of poisoning with macadamia nuts in may occur up to 12 hours after ingestion, and a characteristic symptom is weakness which is more pronounced in the hind legs. Poisoned animals generally recover completely within two days without treatment. Clinical signs of poisoning with onions in dogs and cats develops within 24 hours of ingestion or a few days later, depending on the amount eaten. The most common clinical signs are vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and depression, as well as the development of anaemia resulting in pale mucous membranes, weakness, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat. Jaundice and dark urine (reddish or brown) are the result of methemoglobinemia and haemoglobinuria. The aim of this paper is to raise awareness about potentially toxic substances for pets among veterinarians and animal owners, so they can act preventively, by avoiding their consumption or storage in places accessible to pets

Pet poisoning with addictive agents - central nervous system depressants

Nastavno prethodnim radovima u koji- ma su opisana otrovanja pasa i mačaka hra- nom i dodatcima hrani: čokoladom, kavom, grožđem, lukom i oraščićima makadamije te ksilitolom i solju u ovom su radu opisana otrovanja sredstvima koja izazivaju ovisnost odnosno nekim depresorima središnjeg živ- čanog sustava: marihuanom, opioidima, „klupskim“ drogama - flunitrazepam i ga- mahidroksibutirat (GHB). Ilegalni lijekovi ili zloporabne droge su vrlo čest uzrok otrovanja kućnih ljubimaca od kojih su psi najprijemlji- viji. Otrovanje nastaje zbog slučajne ingestije, krivog doziranja, ali i zlonamjernih trovanja. Ingestija zloporabnih droga predstavlja dija- gnostički, često i etički izazov veterinarima kliničarima, a vlasnici vrlo često nisu uop- će svjesni čemu je životinja bila izložena. U ovom radu opisani su toksični učinci najče- šćih depresora središnjeg živčanog sustava u kontekstu veterinarske toksikologije - izvori otrovanja, toksičnost, toksikokinetika, meha- nizam toksičnog djelovanja, klinički znakovi otrovanja, dijagnostika i liječenje otrovanih životinja. Cilj ovog rada je detaljan opis naj- češćih lijekova koji se zloupotrebljuju, klinički protokol te terapija otrovanih životinja u svr- hu informiranja vlasnika životinja u smislu preventivnog djelovanja i izbjegavanja rizika kontakta životinja s navedenim lijekovima.Following previous work in which we described poisoning with food and food ad- ditives: chocolate, coffee, grapes, macadamia nuts, onions and garlic, xylitol and salt this paper described the poisoning with the most common central nervous system depressants (marijuana, barbiturates, opioids, “club” drugs-flunitrazepam and Gamma hydroxy- butyrate (GHB)). Exposure to illegal drugs is very common cause of companion animal poi- soning, of which dogs are the most susceptible. The poisoning is due to accidental ingestion, wrong dosage, but also malicious poisoning. Illegal drug ingestion presents both diagnostic and ethical challenge to the clinician and pet owners may not be aware of what the animal was exposed to. This work describes the most common central nervous system depressants in context of veterinary toxicology - sources of poisoning, toxicity, toxicokinetic, mechanism of action-clinical signs of poisoning, diagnos- tics and treatment of poisoned animals. The aim of this thesis is a detailed description of the most commonly used drugs, clinical pro- tocol and treatment of poisoned animals in order to raise awareness for animal owners in terms of preventive action and avoiding the risk of animal contact with these drugs

Koncentracija kadmija u tkivima mladih divljih svinja (Sus scrofa L.) s područja Moslavine i Slavonije u nizinskoj Hrvatskoj.

Samples of skeletal muscles, liver and kidneys of young wild boars from Moslavina and Slavonia were analysed for cadmium content. Organ samples were taken from wild boars (up to 1 year old) in the 2007/2008 hunting season from the hunting grounds: Črnovščak (n = 8) and Spačva (n = 9). The highest value of cadmium measured in muscles was 0.0029 μg/g (Spačva), in the liver 0.0874 μg/g (Črnovščak) and kidneys 0.8509 μg/g (Črnovščak), which is the highest concentration of Cd from all studied tissues. All measured concentrations were lower than the reference values according to Croatian regulations for Cd in food. Cd concentrations in muscle tissue were much lower than the concentrations in the liver and kidney. Cadmium median values in the muscle tissue of wild boars from Moslavina (0.00065 μg/g) were lower than the values in wild boars from Slavonia (0.0008 μg/g), but not significantly, while the median concentrations of Cd in liver and kidney tissue were higher in wild boars from Moslavina (0.0483 μg/g and 0.5259 μg/g), in comparison with those in Spačva (0.0283 and 0.4770 μg/g). Additionally, statistically significant differences were only defined for liver tissue. The results of this research indicate that: 1. even young wild boars (aged up to 1 year old) can be bioindicators of environmental pollution with Cd; 2. The researched area Črnovščak is under stronger anthropogenic influence than the Spačva hunting ground; 3. the amount of Cd in the tissues is lower than the permitted concentration.Koncentracija kadmija određena je u uzorcima mišićnog, jetrenog i bubrežnog tkiva mladih divljih svinja s područja Moslavine i Slavonije. Uzeti su uzorci organa divljih svinja (u dobi do godine dana), u lovnoj sezoni 2007./2008., u lovištima Črnovščak (n = 8) i Spačva (n = 9). Najviše izmjerene vrijednosti kadmija bile su: u mišiću 0,0029 μg/g (Spačva), u jetri 0,0874 μg/g (Črnovščak) i bubregu 0,8509 μg/g (Črnovščak), što je i najviša izmjerena koncentracija Cd u ovom istraživanju. Sve dobivene vrijednosti bile su niže od onih koje propisuje Pravilnik o najvišim dopuštenim koncentracijama kadmija u hrani. Kadmij u mišićju bio je u mnogo nižoj koncentraciji u odnosu na bubrežno tkivo. Medijana vrijednost kadmija u mišićju divljih svinja iz Moslavine (0,00065 μg/g) bila je niža od vrijednosti u divljih svinja iz Slavonije (0,0008 μg/g), ali ne statistički značajno, dok su medijane koncentracije Cd u jetrenom i bubrežnom tkivu bile više u divljih svinja iz Moslavine (0,0483 μg/g i 0,5259 μg/g), u odnosu na one iz Spačve (0,0283 i 0,4770 μg/g). Pritom je statistički značajna razlika utvrđena samo za jetreno tkivo. Rezultati ovog istraživanja upućuju na: 1. da mlade divlje svinje (u dobi do 1 godine) mogu biti bioindikatori kontaminacije okoliša kadmijem; 2. da je istraživano područje Črnovščak pod izrazitijim antropogenim utjecajem u odnosu na lovište Spačva; 3. da su koncentacije kadmija u tkivima mladih divljih svinja ispod onih propisanih pravilnikom

Residues of Lindane in Adipose Tissue of Lambs and Sheep from Islands Krk and Cres

Concentrations of lindane from adipose tissue i.e. omentum of sheep from homesteads of island Krk that were treated with lindane, were compared with the concentrations of lindane measured in adipose tissue of non treated sheep from husbandry cooperative on island Cres. Evaluation of food safety for this samples were estimated by comparing obtained results and maximum tolerance concentration (MTC) for lindane (2.0 and 0.2 mg/kg). In treated lambs from Krk measured concentrations of lindane were in range from 0.0038 to 1.8644 mg/kg, and in treated sheep from 0.0094 to 1.646 mg/kg. In control group of lambs and sheep concentration of lindane was 0.0051 mg/kg. Estimation of food safety based on the results from this research are discussable, regarding the fact that MTC prescribed before year 2007 was 2.0 mg/kg. When the new law Regulations of MTC for residues of pesticides in food and animal feed (NN 119/07) came into the force prescribed MTC was 0.02 mg/kg. If food safety of sheep meat from Krk would be estimated based on latter, then 73.4% of samples of lamb meat and 80% of sheep meat could be proclaimed unsafe for human consumption. It is encouraging that after completion of using lindane in year 2005, levels of lindane in adipose tissue of lamb from Krk in year 2006 were under the concentration set by new legislate (< 0.02 mg/kg)

Utjecaj tjelesne kondicije na metaboličke serumske pokazatelje u burske koze prije i nakon jarenja

In goats, during the puerperal period, a lack of energy is one of the most frequent causes of sudden metabolic changes and the consequent reproductive disorders. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of the body condition on the serum profile of metabolites such as: total proteins (TP), albumin (ALB), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (CHOL), glucose (GLU) and β-hydroxybutirate (BHB) in Boer goats during late pregnancy (Day 120), at parturition (Day 0) as well as on Days 30 and 60 after parturition. A total of 15 female Boer goats (does), from a commercial farm in north western Croatia were used. The body condition status of the goats was established using the standard protocol for scoring. Based on the body condition score (BCS), each doe was categorized into one of three groups: group 1 (n = 5) or obese does with BCS ≥3.50-5.00, group 2 (n = 5) or medium does with BCS ≥2.75<3.50 and group 3 (n = 5) or thin does with BCS <2.75. The concentrations of serum TP, ALB, TG, CHOL, GLU and BHB were measured spectrophotometrically. On Day 120 of pregnancy the level of TG was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the obese does than the medium does. The levels of TP or CHOL were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the obese than in the thin does on Day 30 and Day 60, respectively, following parturition. The recorded changes in the metabolites tested could be of significance for monitoring the metabolic status of goats during intensive production, and of practical interest for preventing/controlling economic losses in goat breeding.U koze tijekom puerperija nedostatak energije predstavlja jedan od najčešćih uzroka iznenadnih metaboličkih promjena i posljedičnih reprodukcijskih poremećaja. Cilj našeg istraživanja bio je procijeniti utjecaj tjelesne kondicije na serumske metabolite kao što su: ukupni proteini (UP), albumin (ALB), trigliceridi (TG), kolesterol (CHOL), glukoza (GLU) i β-hidroksimaslačna kiselina (BHB) u burskih koza tijekom kasne gravidnosti (120. dan), porođaja (0. dan) kao i na 30. i 60. dan nakon porođaja. Ukupno je korišteno 15 burskih koza iz komercijalne farme u sjeverozapadnoj Hrvatskoj. Status tjelesne kondicije (engl. body condition score, BCS) koza utvrđen je uporabom standardnog protokola za ocjenu. Na temelju ocjene BCS svaka je koza kategorizirana u jednu od 3 skupine od po 5 životinja u svakoj: 1. skupina - pretile (BCS≥3,50-5,00), 2. skupina - srednjeg gojnog stanja (BCS≥2,75-3,50) i 3. skupina - mršave (BCS≤2,75). Koncentracije serumskih UP, ALB, TG, CHOL, GLU i BHB bile su određivane spektrofotometrijski. Na 120. dan gravidnosti razina TG bila je značajno viša (P<0,05) u pretilih koza nego u koza srednjeg gojnog stanja. Razine UP i CHOL bile su značajno više (P<0,05) u pretilih nego u mršavih koza 30., odnosno 60. dana nakon porođaja. Zabilježene promjene u istraživanih metabolita mogle bi biti od značenja za praćenje metaboličkog statusa koza tijekom intenzivne proizvodnje, a mogle bi biti i od praktične vrijednosti za prevenciju i kontrolu gospodarskih gubitaka u uzgoju koza