toxicology-calculator

# Veterinary Toxicology Calculator ## Overview Calculate dose-dependent toxicity risk when an animal has ingested a potentially toxic substance. Provides species-specific toxic and lethal dose thresholds, expected clinical signs by dose range, and initial decontamination guidance with time-sensitivity assessment. ## When to Use - An animal has eaten or been exposed to a potentially toxic substance - User asks "is [substance] toxic to [species]?" - User asks about chocolate, xylitol, grapes/raisins, lilies, antifreeze, rodenticide, marijuana/THC, or other common toxicants - User needs to calculate whether the amount ingested is dangerous - User asks about decontamination timing (emesis, activated charcoal) - Keywords: ate, ingested, poisoning, toxic, toxicity, exposure, swallowed, chewed ## Key Capabilities - Dose-per-kilogram calculation from amount ingested and patient weight - Risk stratification (no concern / monitor / treat / critical) - Species-specific thresholds (a substance toxic to cats may be safe for dogs) - Time-since-ingestion assessment for decontamination decisions - Common toxicant database with dose-response data ## Common Toxicant Reference **Chocolate (dogs):** - Theobromine content varies by type: white (~0.25 mg/g), milk (~2.4 mg/g), dark (~5.5 mg/g), baking (~16 mg/g), cocoa powder (~28.5 mg/g) - Mild signs (GI): 20 mg/kg theobromine - Cardiac signs: 40-50 mg/kg - Seizures: 60+ mg/kg - Lethal dose (LD50): ~100-200 mg/kg - Theobromine half-life in dogs: ~17.5 hours **Xylitol (dogs):** - Hypoglycemia threshold: 0.1 g/kg (100 mg/kg); some reports suggest sensitivity at doses as low as 0.05 g/kg. Treat any significant xylitol ingestion as an emergency. - Hepatotoxicity threshold: 0.5 g/kg (500 mg/kg) - Onset of hypoglycemia: 30-60 minutes (can be delayed with some xylitol-containing products) - Note: Cats appear less susceptible but data is limited; increasing prevalence in sugar-free foods, dental products, and peanut butters **Grapes/Raisins (dogs):** - No established safe dose. Any ingestion in dogs should be treated as potentially toxic. - Toxic dose is idiosyncratic and unpredictable - Raisins are more concentrated than grapes by weight - Can cause acute kidney injury **Lilies (cats):** - ALL parts of true lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) are nephrotoxic to cats - No safe dose. Even pollen exposure or water from a lily vase can be fatal. - Causes acute kidney injury within 24-72 hours - Dogs are NOT affected by lily nephrotoxicity **Ethylene glycol (all species):** - Lethal dose dogs: ~6.6 mL/kg - Lethal dose cats: ~1.5 mL/kg (cats are 4x more sensitive) - Treatment window: 8-12 hours (dogs), 3 hours (cats) for antidote efficacy **THC / Marijuana (dogs primarily):** - Dogs are significantly more sensitive than humans; toxicity reported at 0.5-3 g/kg of marijuana plant material - Edibles (brownies, gummies, butter) are the most common exposure route and may contain additional toxicants (chocolate, xylitol) - Clinical signs: Ataxia, urinary incontinence, mydriasis, bradycardia, hypothermia, stupor. Onset 30-90 minutes (edibles may be delayed). - Severe cases: Seizures, coma, death (rare but reported, especially with concentrated products) - Treatment: Supportive care, IV fluids, anti-emetics (if early), lipid emulsion therapy for severe cases **Macadamia nuts (dogs):** - Toxic dose: 2.4-62.4 g/kg (wide range; individual sensitivity varies) - Clinical signs: Weakness (especially hindlimb), vomiting, tremors, hyperthermia. Onset 6-12 hours. - Duration: Self-limiting, typically resolves within 24-48 hours - Treatment: Supportive; rarely fatal but causes significant distress. Combined macadamia + chocolate ingestion increases severity. ## Workflow 1. **Identify the toxicant.** What did the animal ingest? Resolve brand names to active ingredients where possible. 2. **Identify the species.** MANDATORY. Toxicity is species-dependent. 3. **Gather quantitative data:** - Patient body weight (kg) - Amount ingested (grams, mL, number of items, or "unknown") - Time since ingestion - If chocolate: type of chocolate (milk, dark, baking, cocoa powder) 4. **Calculate dose per kilogram.** Convert the amount ingested to mg/kg or g/kg of the toxic compound. 5. **Stratify risk:** - **No concern:** Dose below any toxic threshold for this species - **Monitor:** Dose in range where mild signs possible; home monitoring may be appropriate - **Treat:** Dose in range where clinical signs expected; veterinary care recommended - **Critical:** Dose at or above potentially lethal range; emergency veterinary care immediately 6. **Assess decontamination window:** - Emesis generally effective within 1-2 hours of ingestion (contraindicated in some situations) - Activated charcoal may help within 1-4 hours depending on substance - Note contraindications to emesis: corrosives, hydrocarbons, sharp objects, seizuring patient, brachycephalic breeds (higher aspiration risk) 7. **Provide initial guidance** and recommend contacting a veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661). ## Output Format ``` ## Toxicity Assessment: [Substance] in [Species] **Patient:** [Weight] kg [Species/Breed] **Ingested:** [Amount] of [Substance] **Calculated dose:** [X mg/kg] of [toxic compound] **Time since ingestion:** [X hours] **Risk Level:** [NO CONCERN / MONITOR / TREAT / CRITICAL] **Toxic thresholds for [species]:** - Mild signs at: [X mg/kg] - Serious signs at: [X mg/kg] - Potentially lethal at: [X mg/kg] - Patient's dose: [X mg/kg] -- [above/below] [threshold] **Expected clinical signs at this dose:** - [List expected signs] - [Expected onset timing] **Decontamination:** - Emesis: [Recommended/Not recommended] -- [reason] - Activated charcoal: [Recommended/Not recommended] **Action:** [Specific recommendation] **Contact:** ASPCA Animal Poison Control: 888-426-4435 | Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661 ``` ## Limitations - Calculations are based on published toxic dose ranges. Individual animals may be more or less sensitive. - "Amount ingested" is often estimated. When uncertain, assume worst-case. - This skill provides initial risk assessment, not treatment protocols. Treatment decisions require veterinary professional judgment. - Some toxicants (grapes/raisins) have idiosyncratic toxicity with no reliable dose-response relationship. - Exotic species toxicology data is extremely limited for most substances.