Acetone

From Felipedia

Acetone is one of many organic solvents use for industrial purposes that are potent toxins in cats.

This toxin is a CNS depressant and in large enough doses, will induce coma. It also causes pulmonary injury from direct effects with inhalation or systemic effects from ingestion and inhalation. Pulmonary aspiration is one of the greatest concerns in patients exposed to these compounds. Aspiration of very small amounts will likely induce chemical pneumonia.

Acetone is also an irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Further, they are known to sensitize the myocardiumn to catecholamines, thus increasing cardiac dysrhythmias. Hypoxemia may be seen if the patient was exposed to the compound in an enclosed space. Hepatic and renal injury may occur by undefined mechanisms.

[edit]

Clinical signs

Inhalation or exposure to fumes causes conjunctivitis, nausea, vomiting, depression, wheezing, cyanosis, weak pulse, convulsions, and collapse. Signs noted after ingestion include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (hemorrhagic at times), fixed pupils, ataxia, depression, and coma. Hemolysis and methemoglobinemia have been reorted with exposure to naphthalene and toluene.

[edit]

Treatment

Treating poisoning by inhalation requires removing the patient from the source, administering oxygen (when available), and washing the eyes copiously with water. Treating poisoning by ingestion involves oxygen therapy, treatment for aspiration or chemical pneumonia (see discussions of bronchospasm, and pulmonary edema, cautious gastric lavage, activated charcoal, and a cathartic. Epinephrine and other catecholamines should be avoided if possible because of the possible sensitization of the myocardium by these agents.

If exposure is by inhalation, remove the source or move the patient to a well-ventilated environment. Do not induce emesis. Perform cautious gastric lavage if the ingestion was within the last I to 2 hours. Take care not to allow aspiration of gastric contents during procedure. Give activated charcoal. Administer saline or sorbitol cathartic. Magnesium-containing solutions should be avoided.

If exposure is dermal, bathe the patient in warm, soapy water or mild dishwashing detergent (Dawn) and rinse well with warm water. Perform this in a well-ventilated room. Avoid inducing hypothermia.

There are no known antidotes to acetone.

Treat chemical pneumonia with oxygen, ventilation, nebulization, and coupage ('percussion of the thorax to aid in the removal of secretions). Broad-spectrum antibiotics are not indicated prophylactically but may become necessary if the chemical pneumonia initiates bacterial infection. Monitor blood counts, sputum, and pulmonary washings as necessary to determine the need for antibiotics.

Monitor ECG and treat cardiac dysrhythmias. CAUTION: These agents cause increased myocardial sensitivity. Use of epinephrine or other sympathomimetic amines may induce or aggravate cardiac dysrhythmias.

Monitor urine output and renal parameters to observe for onset of acute renal failure. Monitor for evidence of hepatic injury and treat accordingly. Treat methemoglobinernia if present.

Enhancement of elimination

There are no techniques that are effective.

[edit]