Production Animal Clinical Toxicology

Plants | Epidemiology | Pathogenesis | Clinical Signs | Clinical Pathology | Necropsy | Diagnosis | Treatment | Control

Return to Production Animal Clinical Toxicology Index

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Plants

Datura spp. - thornapples

Duboisia mycoporoides - corkwood

Atropa belladona - deadly nightshade

Epidemiology

• toxic to wide range of species including humans
• plants highly unpalatable
• plants abundant, but natural cases of toxicity are rare
• toxins in all parts of leaves

Pathogenesis

• tropane alkaloids mainly scopolamine and hyoscine belong to atropine group
• alkaloids inhibit the muscarinic action of acetylcholine, ie have an atropine effect

Clinical Signs

• pupillary dilation
• dry mouth, nose
• rapid pulse, depression of respiration
• restlessness, delirium, convulsions
• paralysis, coma, death

Clinical Pathology

• nonspecific

Necropsy

• nonspecific

Diagnosis

• history
• clinical signs

Treatment

• physostigmine but several treatments may be necessary

Control

• grazing management