Toxicity of Abrus precatorius in Nubian goats.

Eight Nubian goats were given Abrus precatorius seed at 2, 1 and 0.5 g/kg/day by stomach tube. Six goats receiving the plant seed at 2 and 1 g/kg died between days 2 and 5. One goat receiving Abrus seed at 0.5 g/kg/day died on day 32 and the other animal in the group was killed on day 33. The main signs of Abrus poisoning were inappetence, bloody diarrhea, dyspnea, dehydration, loss of condition and recumbency. The lesions were fatty change and necrosis of hepatocytes and renal convoluted tubules, pulmonary hemorrhage, edema and emphysema, and erosions of the abomasal and intestinal epithelium. These changes were accompanied by increases in GOT and gamma GT activities and urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium and by decreases in total protein and albumin in the serum of Abrus-poisoned goats. The blood cell changes indicated hemoconcentration.

The combined toxicity of Aristolochia bracteata and Cadaba rotundifolia to goats.

The sequential development of the clinical signs and lesions in the organs of Nubian goats fed on Aristolochia bracteata (Um Galagel) and Cadaba rotundifolia (Kurmut) and their mixture in certain proportions was studied. Kidney and liver function was tested and the results correlated with pathological and clinical changes. Diarrhea, dyspnea, tympany, arching of the back, and loss of condition and hair from the back were the prominent signs of Aristolochia poisoning in goats. The main pathological changes were hemorrhages in the lungs, heart and kidneys, fatty change and congestion in the liver, catarrhal abomasitis and enteritis, and straw-colored fluid in serous cavities. An increase in GOT activity and ammonia and urea concentrations, and a decrease in the concentrations of total protein and magnesium were detected in the serum of Aristolochia-poisoned goats. The clinical signs in goats fed with C rotundifolia were pronounced depression, diarrhea, frothing at the mouth, dyspnea, ataxia, loss of condition and recumbency. The lesions consisted of diffuse hemorrhage in the abomasum, heart and lungs, catarrhal enteritis, erosions on the intestinal mucous membrane, degeneration and/or necrosis of the cells of the renal tubules, and fatty change and necrosis in the liver. These changes were correlated with those in the serum constituents and blood cells. The effects of A bracteata and C rotundifolia were additive in goats.

Toxicity of Datura stramonium to sheep and goats.

The toxicity of daily oral administration of Datura stramonium to Desert sheep and Nubian goats was studied. The main clinical signs were disturbances in locomotion, fasciculation, hyperesthesia, rapid respiration, and reduced water intake. There were increases in the concentrations of aspartate amino-transferase and ammonia and decreases of total protein and magnesium in the serum of Datura-poisoned animals. In this study Desert sheep appeared to be more susceptible to the effects of Datura stramonium than were Nubian goats.