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Cyanide Poisoning in Animals - Toxicology - MSD Veterinary Manual
Cyanide Poisoning in Animals - Toxicology - MSD Veterinary Manual
MSD
MANUAL
MANUAL
Veterinary
Manual
IN THIS TOPIC
PROFESSIONAL VERSION
Cyanide Poisoning
in Animals
By Rhian B. Cope, BVSc, BSc, PhD, DABT, DABVT,
FACTRA, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines
Authority, Australian Government
Lesions
Acute cyanide poisoning: Necropsy personnel may
require appropriate personal protective equipment,
including respirators with suitable cartridges. Venous
blood is classically described as being "bright cherry
red"; however, this color rapidly fades after death or if
the blood is exposed to the atmosphere. Whole blood
clotting may be slow or not occur. Mucous membranes
may also be pink initially, then become cyanotic after
respiration ceases. The rumen may be distended with
gas; in some cases the odor of “bitter almonds” may be
detected after opening. Rumen contents may provide a
positive sodium picrate paper test (or positive results on
other rapid cyanide test strip systems). Rumen gases
may provide positive results in cyanide Draeger tube
rapid test systems. Agonal hemorrhages of the heart
may be seen. Liver, serosal surfaces, tracheal mucosa,
and lungs may be congested or hemorrhagic; some
froth may be seen in respiratory passages. Cyanide also
binds to iron (both Fe2+ and Fe3+) present in myoglobin
(although this occurs more slowly than the binding to
cytochrome c oxidase and, hence, is not protective); this
may result in a generalized dark coloration of skeletal
muscle. Neither gross nor histologic lesions are
consistently seen.
Diagnosis of Cyanide
Poisoning in Animals
Determination of cyanide (and/or cyanide
glycoside and/or relevant cyanide
metabolite) concentrations in food and
stomach contents
nitrate or nitrite
urea
organophosphates
carbamates
Key Points