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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Poisonous Plant Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #332058
Title: Poisoning by Poiretia punctata in cattle and sheep

Author
item NASCIMENTO, EDUARDO - Veterinary Hospital, Federal University Of Campina Grande (UFCG)
item MEDEIROS, ROSANE - Veterinary Hospital, Federal University Of Campina Grande (UFCG)
item Lee, Stephen
item RIET-CORREA, FRANKLIN - Veterinary Hospital, Federal University Of Campina Grande (UFCG)

Submitted to: Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/28/2014
Publication Date: 10/1/2014
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/5399136
Citation: Nascimento, E.M., Medeiros, R.M., Lee, S.T., Riet-Correa, F. 2014. Poisoning by Poiretia punctata in cattle and sheep. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira. 34(10):963-966.

Interpretive Summary: Poiretia punctata (Willd.) Desv. was associated with cattle and sheep poisoning on farms in the Brazilian state of Sergipe. The animals were found dead or died later after showing clinical signs for up to 18 hours. Two sheep that ingested 40g/kg body weight (g/kg) of fresh P punctata died 3 and 8 hours after ingestion, respectively. Another sheep that ingested 40g/kg five days after plant collection showed mild clinical signs and recovered after 24 hours. Two sheep that received 20g/kg and another that ingested three daily doses of 20g/kg showed clinical signs, but recovered. Two cattle that ingested 20g/kg of the fresh plant exhibited clinical signs and recovered. The clinical observations of poisoning were depression, loss of equilibrium, broad-based stance, head down, falls, muscle spasms of the head and neck, involuntary eye movement, and recumbence. Significant gross and histologic lesions were not observed. Samples of P punctata were analyzed for nitrates, cyanogenic glycosides, and sodium monofluoroacetate with negative results. P punctata is a toxic plant that caused death in cattle and sheep in the State of Sergipe.

Technical Abstract: Poiretia punctata (Willd.) Desv. was associated with cattle and sheep poisoning on nine farms in the State of Sergipe, northeastern Brazil. The animals were found dead or died later after showing clinical signs for up to 18 hours. Two sheep that ingested 40g/kg body weight (g/kg) of fresh P punctata died three and eight hours after ingestion, respectively. Another sheep that ingested 40g/kg five days after plant collection showed mild clinical signs and recovered after 24 hours. Two sheep that received 20g/kg and another that ingested three daily doses of 20g/kg showed clinical signs, but recovered. Two cattle that ingested 20g/kg of the fresh plant exhibited clinical signs and recovered. The clinical observations of poisoning were depression, ataxia, loss of equilibrium, broad-based stance, head down, falls, mandibular trismus, opisthotonous, nystagmus, and recumbence. Significant gross and histologic lesions were not observed. Samples of P punctata were analyzed for nitrates, cyanogenic glycosides, and sodium monofluoroacetate with negative results. It is concluded that P punctata is a toxic plant that caused death in cattle and sheep in the State of Sergipe.