Merwilla plumbea

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Botha, C.J. (Christoffel Jacobus)
Venter, Elna

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Abstract

DISTRIBUTION: • Mainly found in Kwazulu-Natal • Very variable • In damp grassland, cliffs and rocky slopes.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: General: Up to 1m high. Grows solitary or in colonies. The papery, purplish brown bulbs grow half above the ground. Leaves: 6 - 8. Usually appear after the flowers. Grey-green, erect, ±500mm. Flowers: Inflorescence ±300 x 100 mm. Flowers are pale to deep purplish blue on long slender stalks. Spring.
TOXIC PRINCIPLE: Bufadienolide cardiac glycosides.
SYNDROME: Non-cumulative bufadienolides.
SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Cardiovascular system.
CLINICAL SIGNS: • Fatally poisoned stock usually dies 24 to 48 hours. • Non-fatally poisoned stock generally recovers within three to four days.
NECROPSY: Macroscopical findings: • Not specific - rather negative • Subepi- and endocardial haemorrhages • Lung oedema, congestion, emphysema • Ruminal atony and enteritis - even haemorrhagic • Leaves present in rumen.
HISTOPATHOLOGY: In more chronic cases small foci of degeneration of cardiac musculature are seen occasionally.
TREATMENT: • Activated charcoal is very effective. • Dose 2g/kg. • Large dose is essential. • Adsorption and fixation of excess in rumen. • Even retro-diffusion back from plasma. • Minimize stress to prevent catecholamine release. Additional treatment for valuable animals: 1. Lignocaine. 2. ß -blocking agents.

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Colour photos. Final web-ready size: JPEG. Photo 1: 14.7 kb, 96 ppi; Photo 2: 27.6 kb, 72 ppi; Photo 3: 10.8 kb, 96 ppi; Photo 4: 36.4 kb, 72 ppi; Photo 5: 7.17 kb, 72 ppi. Original TIFF file housed at the Dept. of Paraclinical Sciences, Section Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Pretoria.

Keywords

Plant poisoning, Toxicology, Plant poisoning in animals, Poisonous plants, Bufadienolides, Cardiac glycosides

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Citation

Botha, CJ & Venter, E 2002, 'Plants poisonous to livestock Southern Africa (CD-ROM)' University of Pretoria, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Dept. of Paraclinical Sciences, Section Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pretoria, South Africa.