Activated Charcoal – Clinical uses in Veterinary Therapeutics

In Veterinary therapeutics, activated charcoal is recognized for its physical adsorption capability with toxins, certain metabolites and drugs. It is derived from vegetable matter by variety of chemical processes. In toxicological emergencies, it can be administered orally after induction of emesis, through oro-gastric tube. Clinical utility of the activated charcoal is applicable in both large and small animal medical conditions like rumen lactacidosis, endotoxemia and flatulence. It can also be used in Hemoperfusion to remove endogenous and exogenous toxins that are not efficiently cleared through hemodialysis. Use of laxatives after the administration of activated charcoal augments the effects.