VPT 421: Veterinary Toxicology (2+0)

CALOTROPIS GIGANTEA

• This contains caloctin, calotropin and calotixin as toxic principles.
• The milky juice from the plant is acidic.
• The coagulum is white in colour and a yellow coloured serum is produced after heating or after sometime.
• It is an irritant to the gastrointestinal tract and is considered to be a cerebrospinal poison. Root is an antidote, but it is also considered to be toxic.
• Symptoms include burning in the throat and stomach, salivation, stomatitis, vomiting, diarrhoea, dilated pupils, tetanic convulsions, collapse and death.
• Treatment can be attempted with gastric lavage, demulcents and morphine to control pain.