Krimpsiekte in a sheep following a single dose of Tylecodon ventricosus (Burm. f.) Toelken and the isolation of tyledoside D from this plant species

Abstract

Tylecodon ventricosus induced severe respiratory distress in two penned sheep without any electrocardiographic abnormalities being recorded. Based on the results it appears as if T. ventricosus predominantly induces the neuromuscular syndrome referred to as krimpsiekte. A single, relatively large intraruminal dose of 10,0 g/kg induced krimpsiekte in one sheep. Treatment with 5,0 g/kg activated charcoal on two consecutive days did not prevent the development of krimpsiekte. A bufadienolide, tyledoside D, was isolated from semi-dried plant material.