DISTRIBUTION:
• Grassland and bushveld.
• To be found in the shade of trees and bushes, usually in sandy, limestone or brackish soil
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION:
General: An erect or straggling perennial succulent herb, growing up to 1 m high and usually sparsely branched. Occuring in colonies.
Leaves: The blue-green leaves are elliptical to rounded with a whitish bloom. The margins can be scalloped or lobed and the tips rounded.
Flowers: Star-shaped flowers are borne in a sparse branched inflorescence on a long stalk. Red to orange. All flower parts are in fours. March to December.
TOXIC PRINCIPLE:
Cumulative neurotoxic bufadienolides
SYSTEMS AFFECTED:
Central nervous system.
CLINICAL SIGNS:
• 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.
• The incidence of krimpsiekte is highest in goats, then in sheep.
NECROPSY:
Macroscopic pathology:
Not specific – rather negative.
TREATMENT:
No treatment for krimpsiekte.