(including nicotine sulphate)

A general purpose, non-persistent, contact, alkaloid insecticide, available commercially in liquid form (as a soluble concentrate) for spraying, as shreds for fumigating and as a soap. The pure compound is colourless, blackening when in contact with air.

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Animals most affected
Dogs, (cattle).

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Etiology
Ingestion of the herbicide (see also tobacco for cases of ingestion of the plant or of cigarettes.

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Toxicity
A very toxic alkaloidal extract of tobacco.

Oral doses:

LD50	rats	50-60 mg/kg
LD	horses	100-300 mg/animal
	sheep	100-200 mg/animal
	cats	20-100 mg/animal
	dogs	20-100 mg/animal
Nicotine sulphate is slightly less toxic.

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Clinical features
Rapid onset following ingestion:

• salivation;
• nausea, (occasionally vomiting);
• occasional diarrhoea with abdominal pain;
• excitement, shaking, occasionally convulsions;
• rapid respiration, marked dyspnoea with hyperpnoea, followed by depression, incoordination;
• flaccid paralysis;
• coma and death due to respiratory depression.

If minimal quantities are ingested, the prognosis is good and recovery rapid.

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Lesions
Non-specific:

• haemorrhagic gastroenteritis;
• dark-coloured blood;
• cardiac and pulmonary haemorrhages;
• congestion of the CNS.

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Treatment
No antidote. Symptomatic care and promote excretion:

• emetics;
• gastric lavage, using (if possible) tannic acid or a 1:10 000 solution of potassium permanganate;
• adsorbents (activated vegetable coal);
• cardiorespiratory stimulants;
• oxygen therapy if possible.