VPT 421: Veterinary Toxicology (2+0)

Clinical Symptoms and PM Lesions

CLINICAL SYMPTOMS

• Acute
  • Due to ingestion of obligate indicator plants clinical signs are noticed in 1 – 2 hours and animals may die between 2 hours to seven days.
  • Symptoms include colic, bloat, dark watery diarrhoea, polyuria, fever, mydriasis, uncertain gait, peculiar rooted-to-one-spot stance with head and ears lowered, fast and weak pulse, pale and cyanotic mucous membrane, blood tinged froth from the nostrils, prostration and death.
• Subacute (Blind staggers)
  • Occurs due to ingestion of seleniferous plants and may develop after a relatively short period.
  • Poor appetite, staring coat, wander aimlessly, circling, disregarding obstacles and stumbling over them or walking through them.
  • Respiration and temperature are normal.
  • In the second stage depression, in-coordination and fore leg weakness, animal goes down on its knees.
  • In the third stage colic, subnormal temperature, emaciation, swollen eyelids, near blindness.
  • Salivation, lacrimation, severe abdominal pain, inability to swallow, complete paralysis, collapse and death have also been reported.
• Chronic (Alkali disease)
  • The name alkali disease has been attributed to consumption of alkali waters.
  • Chronic poisoning is caused by daily ingestion of cereals, grains and other forage plants containing selenium.
  • Lameness, hoof and hair abnormalities, partial blindness, paresis, in-coordination, emaciation and lethargy may be noticed.
  • Lameness is due to erosion of the articulate surface of long bones.
  • Hoof begins to shed. Shedding is incomplete and old hoof fuses with new hoof and form abnormally long rocker shaped hoof.
  • In horses there will be loss of long hair from the mane and tail will occur.
  • In cattle, there will be a rough coat, dullness and lack of vitality and emaciation with deprived appetite.