Amaranthus species

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

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Abstract

MECHANISM OF ACTION: In the rumen nitrate is reduced to nitrite and following absorption haemoglobin is oxidised to methaemoglobin.
TOXICITY: • Great variations both inter- and intraspecies • Nitrate - c. 0,5 g/kg sheep - 5g/kg cattle • Nitrite - c. 20 mg/kg sheep - 100mg/kg cattle For soluble oxalate poisoning, go to Urogenital Menu.
SYNDROMES: Nitrate/nitrite poisoning.
SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Haemopoietic system.
CLINICAL SIGNS: Acute poisoning: Respiratory System: • Hyperpnoea • Dyspnoea • Anoxia precipitated by exercise Central Nervous System: • Ataxia • Tremors • Weakness • Terminal convulsions (brain anoxia) Cardiovascular System: • Cardiovascular failure, syncope • Cyanosis • Methaemoglobinaemia: Blood & mucous membranes a dirty chocolate brown colour • Rapid weak pulse (drop in blood pressure) Gastrointestinal Tract: • Diarrhoea • Salivation (vomition) Abortion - especially last trimester For soluble oxalate poisoning, go the Urogenital Menu.
NECROPSY: Macroscopical findings: • Cyanosis• Tarry, dark, red-brown to brown blood• Tissues and mucous membranes brown (Not apparent in every case) • Congestion • Petechial and ecchymotic haemorrhages on mucosal, visceral and serosal surfaces.
HISTOPATHOLOGY: • Nothing unusual or pathognomonic For soluble oxalate poisoning, go the Urogenital Menu.
TREATMENT: 1. Methylene blue. Acts as intermediate electron acceptor that accelerates the reaction between NADPH and methaemoglobin. 2. Ascorbic acid. Also used in dogs for paracetamol poisoning.

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Colour photos. Final web-ready size: JPEG. Photo 1: 31.8 kb, 96 ppi; Photo 2: 35.6 kb, 72 ppi; Photo 3: 21.3 kb, 72 ppi; Photo 4: 9.2 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, Nitrate, Nitrite, Methaemoglobin

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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.