Toxicologist vs The internet (#12) with Dr. Joe Kennedy MD

About this episode

In this episode, host Ryan Feldman and guest Dr. Joe Kennedy discuss real poisoning cases and answer listener questions related to toxicology.

In this episode of The Poison Lab, host Ryan Feldman is joined by Dr. Joe Kennedy, medical toxicologist at the University of Vermont and consultant for the Northern New England Poison Center. Together they work through real poisoning cases to sharpen toxic differentials, sum up practical resuscitation priorities, and connect first-principles pharmacology to bedside decisions. They also answer listener questions on THAM vs bicarbonate, when to dialyze even with “normal” kidneys, and why rattlesnake antivenom costs so much—plus the real-world logistics of sourcing exotic antivenoms in the U.S. Dr. Kennedy and Ryan discuss the topics below. Looking for timestamps? Join the subscribed feed! Case set #1: Shock with hyperglycemia, big pupils, and probably NOT what you think it is. Case set #2: Massive bleeding after gas-station “herbal” products Case set #3: Refractory wide-complex rhythms in a teen overdose Case set #4: Sudden collapse at a hog farm- (SPOLIER) Recent outbreak of deaths as related to case 4 Want the cases summarized and sent to you so you can come up with your differential before the show? SIGN UP FOR THE NEWS LETTER! Listener Q&A THAM vs bicarbonate (closed vs…

People in this episode

Host: Ryan Feldman

Guest: Dr. Joe Kennedy

Topics covered

• toxicology
• poisoning cases
• pharmacology
• listener Q&A
• antivenom logistics
• resuscitation priorities

Keywords

• toxicologist
• poisoning
• resuscitation
• antivenom
• THAM
• bicarbonate
• dialysis
• electrolytes

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Vermont, Northern New England Poison Center

More episodes of The Poison Lab

• A Morel Dilemma: Episode 3 — Testing the Evidence · June 3, 2026 · 35 min
• A Morel Dilemma: Bonus — Who Treats Mushroom Poisoning · June 3, 2026 · 4 min
• A Morel Dilemma: Bonus — Muscarine Poisoning · June 3, 2026 · 10 min
• A Morel Dilemma: Bonus — Remembering poisonous mushrooms (GOTTA PICCEM) · June 3, 2026 · 24 min
• A Morel Dilemma: Episode 2 — Investigations and Falsehoods · June 3, 2026 · 44 min
• A Morel Dilemma: Episode 1 — Outbreak in Bozeman · June 3, 2026 · 34 min