Production Animal Clinical Toxicology

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Plants

Solanum spp.

Solanum armatum (xanthocarpum) - toothed nightshade

Solanum quadriloculatum

Solanum aviculare group - kangaroo apples

There are 100 Solanum spp. that include potato and tomato which also have similar toxins

Epidemiology

• all species of animals can be affected but toxicity not frequently recorded: usually travelling cattle in NW NSW; SW Queensland
• leaves and unripe fruits are most toxic

Pathogenesis

• toxins are a group of glycosides with a wide spectrum of effects
• these glycosides are relatively insoluble and as such are responsible for gastrointestinal effects - highly irritant
• glycosides are hydrolysed and the resulting alkamines which are less toxic can be absorbed and give symptoms similar to that of the cardiac glycosides, i.e. CNS signs, cardiac arrhythmias
• one (solasodine) also is teratogenic

Clinical Signs

• intestinal signs
• abdominal pain; inappetence
• vomiting, excessive salivation
• constipation or diarrhoea - sometimes bloodstained
• transient haemoglobinaemia due to saponin-like action
• CNS signs
• in some species, under some conditions, may be more apparent
• severe depression - cardiac glycoside action
• toxic compounds excreted within 24 hr
• recover gradually
• moderate scouring without too severe CNS depression is considered good prognostic sign

Necropsy

• haemorrhage gastroenteritis
• general congestion of viscera