Veterinary Response to Animal Contamination Events

Based on human societal desires and energy needs, animal exposure and subsequent toxicosis from petrochemical products and other compounds occur and will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. A veterinarian is essential in assessing and stabilizing animals that are exposed to environmental contaminants. A number of products can cause animal contamination, including petrochemicals, salt and salt products, plastic by-products, glues, oils and other food waste products, agricultural runoff, and algal blooms and their by-products from water or soil changes caused by man. The purpose of this short article is to review assessing, recording, triaging, and providing supportive care for the animal before decontamination, which is considered a critical life-saving step to be pursued in all cases of possible toxin exposure. Without animal assessment and stabilization, there is no cause to consider decontamination procedures; the carcass is instead stored in an evidence locker. Veterinarians are essential in the critical intake and stabilization period to assure that animals move on to the decontamination stage. Decontamination procedures, which may be specific and complex, are briefly overviewed.