Sodium Fluoroacetate Toxicity in Elephants

• Rodenticide toxicity.
• 1080 poisoning.

See also: Fluoroacetamide Poisoning in Waterfowl

• Fluorocitrate, the metabolite of sodium fluoroacetate (1080) and sodium fluoroacetamide (1081) , causes overstimulation of the central nervous system and death by convulsions, and alteration of cardiac function (myocardial depression, cardiac arrhythmias, ventricular fibrillation, circulatory collapse). Which of these (central nervous system or cardiac effects) is most prominent varies with species. (B101)

• Sodium Fluoroacetate

• Fatal toxicity has been reported in an zoo elephant in Brasil. (B455.w2)

• This case occurred due to malicious poisoning. (B455.w2)
• Clinical signs of fluoroacetate toxicity include convulsions, vomiting, involuntary urination/defecation, respiratory paralysis, tetany and rapid death. (B455.w2)

Treatment:

• Suggested treatment for fluoroacetate or fluoroacetamide poisoning includes emetics and gastric lavage, possibly barbiturates (with caution due to respiratory centre depression), and glyceryl monoacetate (monoacetin), 0.55mL/kg (0.25mL/lb) intramuscularly (or intravenously in five parts sterile isotonic saline solution), every 30 minutes for several hours as a competitive antagonist of fluoroacetate. (B101)

• History & Documentation
• Physical Examination of Mammals
• Necropsy of Mammals
• Treatment and Care - General
• Environmental Assessment
• Chapter 2 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen Collection and Preservation
• Chapter 3 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen shipment
• Appendix A - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Sample specimen history form

• Elephants (Elephantidae - Elephants (Family))

(List does not contain all other species groups affected by this disease)