VPT 421: Veterinary Toxicology (2+0)

FACTORS AFFECTING TOXICITY

• Poisoning in ruminants depends upon
  • the quantity of the plant ingested
  • the previous diet of the animal
  • the pH of the stomach contents
  • the percentage of total hydrocyanic acid present in the free state in the plant
  • the concentration of cyanide liberating enzyme present in the plant and
  • the total hydrocyanic acid content of the plant.
• Ruminants are more susceptible to poisoning by cyanogenetic plants than horses and pigs, since the enzyme concerned in the release of hydrocyanic acid are destroyed by the gastric hydrochloric acid.