DISTRIBUTION:
Occurs in grassland and bushveld in sandy, well-drained spots.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION:
General: This is a succulent perennial plant, which grows between 50cm and 1 metre high when in flower. It has thick stems that root everywhere where they touch the soil.
Leaves: The fleshy leaves vary greatly in size and shape, from broadly ovate to oblong to lanceolate. They are covered with a thin waxy bloom and usually pale blue-green with red-rimmed margins.
Flowers: The waxy tubular flowers, carried in a terminal inflorescence, vary in colour from light orange to pink, but are usually coral-red, and pendulous. All flower parts in fives.
TOXIC PRINCIPLE:
• Contains four extremely cumulative bufadienolides, namely:
- Orbicuside A, B, C, D.
• The flowers are more toxic than the leaves and the toxicity of plants differ both
within and between localities.
• Soil-type may influence toxicity - e.g. C. orbiculata growing on black clay is less toxic than those plants growing on sandy soils.
SYNDROME:
Cumulative bufadienolides (Krimpsiekte)
SYSTEMS AFFECTED:
Cardiovascular system.
CLINICAL SIGNS:
Cotyledon orbiculata can cause both acute intoxication and krimpsiekte
under natural conditions. Krimpsiekte is a disease of small stock (sheep and goats).
• Krimpsiekte is basically a paretic syndrome.
• Affected animals lag behind the flock.
• When forced to move, they tire easily and lie down or stand trembling, typically
with the feet together, the back arched and the head low.
• The neck may be twisted and the head may dangle loosely as the animal walks.
NECROPSY:
Acute poisoning:
Nothing specific
Histopathology:
Thalamic vacuolisation has been reported with krimpsiekte.
TREATMENT:
• Acute intoxication: dose 2g/kg activated charcoal.
• Large dose is essential.
• Adsorption and fixation of excess in rumen.
• Even retro-diffusion back from plasma.
• Minimize stress to prevent catecholamine release.
With krimpsiekte treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
