Toxicology

Red Maple Toxicosis

Acer rubrum (Red Maple) is a deciduous tree native to northeastern North America and commonly found near pastures. The leaves of A. rubrum, especially when wilted in the fall, cause severe oxidative damage to equine erythrocytes, leading to potentially fatal methemoglobinemia. Gallic acid and tannins from A. rubrum leaves have been implicated as the toxic compounds responsible for Red Maple Toxicosis (Boyer et al, 2002), but this study found that pyrogallol is a more potent inducer of methemoglobinemia. More

The Toxicology Section of the Animal Health Diagnostic Center strives to be the most competent and responsive toxicology laboratory in the country by providing complete analytical toxicology services to private practitioners, commercial agricultural businesses, cooperative extension agencies and universities. The Toxicology Section utilizes modern state-of-the-art analytical instruments and techniques for the detection, identification, and quantification of organic, inorganic and toxic compounds of interest to the food, feed, and animal industries.

For more information on Toxicology Submissions and Analytical Screens, please see Appendix B.

Dr. Karyn Bischoff (Toxicology Director)
Dr. Motoko Mukai (Senior Research Associate)
Joe Ebel (Labrabory Manager)

We are committed to providing:

State-of-the-art analytical toxicology services.
Unequaled client support.
Exceptional turnaround time.
Adherence to Good Laboratory Practices.

Major services and unique aspects provided by the Toxicology Section include:

Equine pre-purchase drug screening and horse pull drug screening.
Organic: Identification and confirmation by HPLC, Capillary GC/MS and LC/MS/MS:

Drugs
Pesticides, insecticides, fungicides
Rodenticides
Alkaloids
Mycotoxins
Ionophores
Vitamin A & E

Inorganic analysis: By XRF, GFAA and ICP

Toxic heavy metals
Mineral panels
Whole blood lead, selenium, and arsenic
Serum copper and zinc levels