Dried blood spots (DBS) on filter paper have been used in human medicine since the 1960s, predominantly for screening in-borne metabolic disorders and more recently, for toxicology. Despite its 50-year existence, this technology has not been adopted by veterinarians for routine diagnoses and research. We have validated a novel DBS analytical procedure for the routine measurement of toxic heavy metals using 50 µL of whole blood on a single DBS by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Targeted heavy metals are arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead, selenium and thallium. The limits of quantitation (LOQ) on DBS are: arsenic 1.7 µg/L, cadmium 4.0 µg/L, mercury 13.7 µg/L, lead 13.3 µg/L, selenium 6.3 µg/L and thallium 1.5 µg/L. These LOQs suffice for routine diagnoses of heavy metal intoxication in domesticated and wildlife species as well as for basic, applied and epidemiological studies. The technique is ideal for population studies involving investigations of wildlife exposure to heavy metals and other environmental pollutants. The small blood volume involved (50 µL) makes it feasible to study small animals (birds, reptiles, amphibians and small mammals) that were previously excluded, or difficult to study due to the relatively large sample volumes required by current gold standard blood collection techniques.

The griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) is one of seven species of Old World Gyps vultures found over a wide range from the Iberian peninsula in the west through the Balkans, Turkey, and the Middle East to India in the east. The population of the griffon vultures in Israel has suffered a dramatic decrease, and in recent years productivity has been severely reduced. In this study, whole-blood samples taken from 25 apparently healthy griffon vultures at various stages of maturity were examined to investigate whether the vultures are being excessively exposed to environmental contaminants that might deleteriously affect their reproduction. Five groups of environmental contaminants, comprising toxic elements, organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and perfluorinated compounds, were monitored in dried blood spots. Results of the analyses showed low levels of exposure of griffon vultures to environmental contaminants compared with the sparse data available on griffon vultures and other diurnal raptors in other countries.

Background: D-Penicillamine is the most commonly used copper-chelating agent in the treatment of copper-associated hepatitis in dogs. Response to therapy can be variable, and there is a lack of pharmacokinetic information available for dogs. Coadministering the drug with food to alleviate vomiting has been recommended for dogs, which contradicts recommendations for drug administration to humans.Hypothesis: Coadministration of D-penicillamine with food decreases relative bioavailability and maximum plasma drug concentrations (C max ) in dogs.Animals: Nine purpose-bred dogs with a median body weight of 17.0 kg. Methods: Dogs received D-penicillamine (12.5 mg/kg PO) fasted and with food in a randomized, crossover design. Blood samples were collected before and 0. 25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after dosing. Total D-penicillamine concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated for each dog.Results: Two fasted dogs (22%) vomited after receiving D-penicillamine. Mean C max AE standard deviation (SD) was 8.7 AE 3.1 lg/mL (fasted) and 1.9 AE 1.6 lg/mL (fed). Mean area under the plasma concentration curve AE SD was 16.9 AE 5.9 lg/mLÁh (fasted) and 4.9 AE 3.4 lg/mLÁh (fed). There were significant reductions in relative bioavailability and C max in fed dogs (P < .001).Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Coadministration of D-penicillamine with food significantly decreases plasma drug concentrations in dogs. Decreased drug exposure could result in decreased copper chelation efficacy, prolonged therapy, additional cost, and greater disease morbidity. Administration of D-penicillamine with food cannot be categorically recommended without additional studies.

Ivermectin is a semisynthetic macrocyclic lactone anthelmintic of the avermectin family derived from Streptomyces fermentation products. Avermectins are used as antiparasitic agents in domestic animals; although considered relatively safe, one must consider animal species, breed, weight, and age in dosage determinations.In January 2006, two canines were presented to the UK Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center after dying from suspected ivermectin overdoses [30-50 mg/kg body weight]. To confirm this clinical diagnosis we developed a rapid, sensitive semiquantitative ElectroSpray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (ESI/MS) method for ivermectin in canine tissue samples. Pharmaceutical ivermectin contains two ivermectins differing by a single methyl group, and each compound forms interpretation-confounding adducts with tissue Na(+) and K(+) ions. We now report that ivermectin administration was clearly confirmed by comparison with standard and dosage forms of ivermectin, and simple proportionalities based on mass spectral intensity of respective molecular ions allowed semiquantitative estimates of injection site tissue concentrations of 20 and 40 microg/g tissue (wet weight) in these animals, consistent with the history of ivermectin administration and the clinical signs observed.There is a distinct need for both rapid detection and confirmation of toxic exposures in veterinary diagnostics, whether for interpretation of clinical cases antemortem or for forensic reasons postmortem. It is vital that interpreters of analytical results have appropriate guidance in the scientific literature and elsewhere so as to enable clear-cut answers. The method presented here is suitable for routine diagnostic work in that it allows rapid extraction of ivermectin from tissue samples, avoids the need for high-performance liquid chromatography and allows ready interpretation of the multiple ivermectin species seen by ESI(+) MS/MS in samples originating from veterinary dosage forms.

The production and use of the highly addictive stimulant methamphetamine are a serious public health problem in the United States and globally. Because of its increased popularity with recreational drug users, accidental or intentional poisoning incidents in companion animals have become an unavoidable scenario in veterinary medicine. We describe a case of methamphetamine poisoning in a 4-year-old female German Shepherd with postmortem analytical quantitation of methamphetamine and its metabolite, amphetamine, in bodily tissues and fluids. Many tissues and bodily fluids can be tested to confirm methamphetamine exposure. More importantly, the higher concentrations found in stomach contents, liver, kidney and heart tissue suggest these are the most useful diagnostic specimens for postmortem confirmation of toxicosis in pets especially in cases in which source material is not available for testing or in cases with no postmortem evaluation.