Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
10:30
Multi-exon Skipping Using Cocktail Antisense Oligonucleotides in the Canine X-linked Muscular Dystrophy
Published on: May 24, 2016
Overkilling in a Dog: A Case Report.
Federica Pesce1, Emanuela Sannino1, Enza Ragosta1
1Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|March 28, 2025
Summary
This case study details a dog exhibiting signs of strangulation and poisoning. Toxicological analyses confirmed the presence of harmful substances, suggesting a complex animal cruelty case.
Area of Science:
- Forensic veterinary medicine
- Toxicology
- Animal pathology
Background:
- The term "overkilling" lacks a clear definition in forensic medicine, often describing excessive fatal injuries.
- Animal cruelty cases present diagnostic challenges, requiring comprehensive forensic investigation.
Observation:
- A dog was found with a rope around its neck and metacarpal injuries.
- Radiographic and autopsy findings revealed lesions consistent with strangulation.
- Stomach contents contained unusual microgranules and harmful substances, raising suspicion of poisoning.
Findings:
- Histological examination confirmed strangulation-related injuries.
- Toxicological analyses positively identified harmful substances in the dog's system.
- The combined evidence indicated both physical trauma and chemical poisoning.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of integrated forensic approaches in animal cruelty investigations.
- Findings underscore the need for clearer definitions and protocols for "overkilling" in forensic contexts.
- Results contribute to understanding complex animal abuse cases involving combined methods of harm.
Related Concept Videos
01:00Drug Toxicity: Overview
Drug toxicity quantifies the harm a compound causes to an organism, varying by dose and potentially impacting whole systems or specific organs like the liver. Toxic reactions may arise from venomous insect or spider bites, with effects ranging from mild symptoms to severe outcomes such as brain damage or death. Common forms of acute poisoning include ethanol intoxication and overdose of pain or fever medications, with substances like GHB and heroin being particularly lethal at doses close to...
01:24Drug Toxicity: Risk factors
Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are potential complications that arise during pharmacotherapy, influenced by multiple risk factors. Age plays a significant role; both neonates and the elderly are at heightened risk due to their respective immature and diminished metabolic and elimination processes. Gender also impacts ADRs, with females experiencing a 1.5 to 1.7-fold greater risk than males, which may be linked to pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and hormonal differences. Notably, neonates, the...
01:24Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions
Drug toxicities can be stratified into pharmacological, pathological, or genotoxic based on their mechanisms. The incidence and severity of these toxicities generally increase with the drug's concentration in the body and exposure time.Pharmacological toxicity is evident when the therapeutic effects of drugs overshoot into adverse reactions in a predictable, dose-dependent manner. Central nervous system (CNS) depression from barbiturates is a classic example, with effects escalating from...
01:23Toxicity Testing in Animals
Toxicity tests in animals are grounded on two main assumptions: first, the effects observed in laboratory animals can be extrapolated to humans, especially when adjusted for body surface area; second, high-dose exposure in animals is essential to identify potential human hazards from lower doses. This is based on the quantal dose-response concept, which faces the challenge of extrapolating results from relatively few test animals to much larger human populations. For example, a 0.01% incidence...
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios
Pharmaceutical poisoning can occur through various channels, impacting an estimated 2 million hospitalized patients in the U.S. annually with serious adverse drug responses. These scenarios encompass both therapeutic uses, such as drug toxicity, where even standard dosages can lead to severe central nervous system depression, and non-therapeutic exposures, including accidental ingestion by children, and environmental and occupational exposures.Unintentional poisonings often involve exploratory...
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies
Treatment strategies for poisoning are a critical aspect of emergency medicine, focusing on preventing the absorption of toxins and enhancing their elimination. When a poisoning incident occurs, the first response is to halt exposure and decontaminate the patient, particularly through gastrointestinal (GI) methods if the poison was ingested.Gastrointestinal Decontamination Techniques:Activated charcoal is the cornerstone of GI decontamination. It works through adsorption, binding the toxin to...