Thesium species
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Date
Authors
Botha, C.J. (Christoffel Jacobus)
Venter, Elna
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Abstract
DISTRIBUTION:
These plants grow in the arid to semi-arid areas of southern Africa; in open plains, seasonally dry watercourses and on hills.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: General: These small, woody perennial shrubs (up to 1,5 m) are in fact semi-root parasites. Leaves: The many thin, woody upright stems and branches of T. namaquense are green to yellow-green and virtually leafless except to the expert eye. Those of T. lineatum are grey-green or blue-green. Flowers: The flowers are inconspicuous, pale yellowish in colour and borne at the end of the branches or in the axils of the minute leaves. Early winter - spring. Fruit: Very small, spherical, with longitudinal ridges.
TOXIC PRINCIPLE: Bufadienolide, a cardiac glycoside.
SYNDROME: Non-cumulative bufadienolides.
SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Cardiovascular system.
CLINICAL SIGNS: • A period of laboured, shallow panting • Diarrhoea • Loss of muscular control • In some cases death may be quite sudden.
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 3. ACP: Tranquillizer (multipotent blocker) 4. Atropine (if AV-block is present).
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: General: These small, woody perennial shrubs (up to 1,5 m) are in fact semi-root parasites. Leaves: The many thin, woody upright stems and branches of T. namaquense are green to yellow-green and virtually leafless except to the expert eye. Those of T. lineatum are grey-green or blue-green. Flowers: The flowers are inconspicuous, pale yellowish in colour and borne at the end of the branches or in the axils of the minute leaves. Early winter - spring. Fruit: Very small, spherical, with longitudinal ridges.
TOXIC PRINCIPLE: Bufadienolide, a cardiac glycoside.
SYNDROME: Non-cumulative bufadienolides.
SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Cardiovascular system.
CLINICAL SIGNS: • A period of laboured, shallow panting • Diarrhoea • Loss of muscular control • In some cases death may be quite sudden.
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 3. ACP: Tranquillizer (multipotent blocker) 4. Atropine (if AV-block is present).
Description
Colour photos. Final web-ready size: JPEG. Photo 1: 7.33 kb, 72 ppi; Photo 2: 31.1 kb, 150 ppi; Photo 3: 42.9 kb, 96 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
Sustainable Development Goals
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.