PLANT AND ANIMAL EMERGENCIES

Classifications Toxin A poison made by a living creature, whether plant or animal Poison Can come from a living creature or from chemicals and substances that are not from living things Venom A specific toxin or poisonous secretion of an animal, mostly snakes, spiders, or scorpions

Plants Toxic To The Skin Usually results in a localized inflammatory/allergic response Symptoms Mild case often consists of a rash Itching Inflammation Some pain Severe cases can result in Anaphylactic Shock

Examples

Plants Toxic When Ingested Toxins transferred to the body through the digestive system/stomach lining Symptoms Nausea and vomiting Cardiac effects Neurological effects Hallucinations Seizures

Examples Monkshood If eaten, causes nausea and ingestion, and neurological effects Lilly of the Valley If Ingested, causes nausea, vomiting, headache, and fatal arrhythmias

Examples Yew Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Can progress to shortness of breath, muscle spasms, cardiovascular collapse Water Hemlock Nausea and vomiting, followed by neurological effects such as slowed speech, poor coordination, paralysis

Examples Rhododendron Nausea and vomiting, bloody diarrhea, seizures, unresponsiveness, death Belladona Nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, visual disturbance, agitation

Poisonous Mushrooms Three categories of mushrooms dangerous to humans: Amanitas False Morels “Little Brown Mushrooms” (LBMs) Symptoms Nausea/Vomiting Neurological Effects Hallucination

Amanitas Primarily neurological toxic effects, produce auditory and visual disturbances, loss of equilibrium False Morels Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe headaches Little Brown Mushrooms Effects vary from mild nausea to hallucinations

Spiders Black Widow Spider A Black Widow bite will swell and can spread to entire limb. Effects include nausea, abdominal pain, fever, sweating, paralysis Brown Recluse Spider Venom from bite can destroy walls of blood vessels, causing localized tissue death Wolf Spider Localized pain and swelling, symptoms of nausea and headache can also occur

Insects Ticks Deer Tick Transmits Lyme disease Wood Tick and Dog Tick Can transmit Rock Mountain Spotted Fever Bees, Wasps, Hornets Pain and localized swelling In severe cases, anaphylaxis and death Mosquitoes, Fleas, Biting Flies Ants

Snakes Rattlesnake Brown with checkered or diamond pattern Bites destroy tissue, cause blood clotting, w/o treatment are potentially fatal Coral Snake Brightly colored bands Venom is a potent neurotoxin that can lead to paralysis and respiratory failure

Marine Animals Sharks Moray Eel Stingray Jellyfish Biting Fish Spiny Aquatic Animals

Mammals Injuries from these animals can lead to soft-tissue damage and in severe cases, internal injuries or broken bones. Domestic and wild dogs Domestic and wild cats Pack animals Rodents Bats Moose, Elk, Deer, Bison Bear

Assessment and Treatment Assessment Scene safety (don’t fight the bear to get to the patient) LOR and ABCDs After primary assessment, SAMPLE and DCAP-BTLS IMPORTANT to find any allergies (e.g., bee stings) Keep re-evaluating ABCDs and checking for signs of shock

Plant Injuries Assessment Look for gastrointestinal upset, abdominal pain, muscle aches Altered Mental Status Hallucinogenic effects Management Supportive care Call 911 for poison control (especially if you can identify the plant)

Insect/Animal Injuries Assessment Look for rash, pale skin, or swelling Bite marks Temperature of skin (fever or chills) Management Control bleeding Wash bites in clean water Watch for infection Splint fractures and consider any possible spine injury

Snake Bites Immediate evacuation Constant evaluation of ABCDs, shock Wrap the limb, proximal to distal- to the fang mark Physical exertion will enhance spread of poison DO NOT: suck the poison out, use a tourniquet, use ice Marine Animals For Bites: Control bleeding, rapid transport Jellyfish stings Prevent spread of stinging chemicals Pain relief