When the animals are mustered the affected animals are lagging behind the rest of the herd or flock. More severely affected animals may even be disinclined to move. Cattle that are still ambulatory exhibit typical posterior paresis (weakness of the hind quarters) (Fig. 13), which invariably progress to paralysis and the animal lies in ventral recumbency. Whole body tremors are also present. Occasionally some animals may be restless, appear nervous, hypersensitive and incoordinated. Torticollis is reported in stock that have been poisoned with “plakkies” (“krimpsiekte” see below) and – “slangkop”. Fig. 13: A young heifer exhibiting weakness of the hind quarters (posterior paresis) typical for yellow poisoning. “tulp” Respiratory system Initially an expiratory can be audible and later dyspnoea or even periods of apnoea will indicate severe pulmonary dysfunction. Macroscopic and histopathology At necropsy no specific gross lesions are noticed and the post mortem may be regarded as rather negative. Non-specific changes such as generalized congestion, subepi- and endocardial and subcutaneous haemorrhages, lung oedema and emphysema, ruminal atony and hyperaemia of the mucosa are reported. If the animal has died peracutely leaf remnants may still be present in the rumen. leaves (tough, fibrous and strongly ribbed leaf) as well as oleander (hard leathery “Tulp” leaves) may be discerned in the rumen contents. On microscopical examination myocardial degeneration or even necrosis and pulmonary oedema are present. In more chronic cases foci of myocardial fibrosis are seen. Diagnosis are various criteria that are important to reach a diagnosis. A history of young naive animals or livestock newly introduced to the area should raise suspicion. The clinical signs, necropsy findings and histopathology report could all aid in a diagnosis. Check for the presence of the plants in the camps and whether it has been eaten. Treatment
When the animals are mustered the affected animals are lagging behind the rest of the herd or flock. More severely affected animals may even be disinclined to move. Cattle that are still ambulatory exhibit typical posterior paresis (weakness of the hind quarters) (Fig. 13), which invariably progress to paralysis and the animal lies in ventral recumbency. Whole body tremors are also present. Occasionally some animals may be restless, appear nervous, hypersensitive and incoordinated. Torticollis is reported in stock that have been poisoned with “plakkies” (“krimpsiekte” – see below) and “slangkop”. Fig. 13: A young heifer exhibiting weakness of the hind quarters (posterior paresis) typical for yellow “tulp” poisoning. Respiratory system Initially an expiratory can be audible and later dyspnoea or even periods of apnoea will indicate severe pulmonary dysfunction. Macroscopic and histopathology At necropsy no specific gross lesions are noticed and the post mortem may be regarded as rather negative. Non-specific changes such as generalized congestion, subepi- and endocardial and subcutaneous haemorrhages, lung oedema and emphysema, ruminal atony and hyperaemia of the mucosa are reported. If the animal has died peracutely leaf remnants may still be present in the rumen. “Tulp” leaves (tough, fibrous and strongly ribbed leaf) as well as oleander (hard leathery leaves) may be discerned in the rumen contents. On microscopical examination myocardial degeneration or even necrosis and pulmonary oedema are present. In more chronic cases foci of myocardial fibrosis are seen. Diagnosis are various criteria that are important to reach a diagnosis. A history of young naive animals or livestock newly introduced to the area should raise suspicion. The clinical signs, necropsy findings and histopathology report could all aid in a diagnosis. Check for the presence of the plants in the camps and whether it has been eaten. Treatment
cardiac_glycoside_intoxication_complete_2.docx