Page 948 - Veterinary Toxicology, Basic and Clinical Principles, 3rd Edition

900 SECTION | XIV Poisonous Plants

VetBooks.ir Galegin decreases blood pressure and paralyzes the CNS. observed are mainly cutaneous (dermatitis), degeneration
of liver, and inflammation of gallbladder. For example, in
This plant appears in summer, especially during the
cattle, the affected skin peels off in patches resembling
months of July and August when the plant is in flower or
producing pods, and it is found in the southern part of leather. Deaths have been described. In horses, the white
France. Accidental poisoning affects mainly sheep, but areas or mucous membranes are the site of depigmented
some cases have also been seen in cattle (Bezard et al., erythema, pruritis, followed by edema (Faliu et al., 1986).
2002). G. officinalis L. is generally rejected by cattle,
probably due to its foul odor and bitter taste, especially LUPINUS SPP.
when freshly cut. In case reports describing cattle and
sheep fed the same hay, only sheep ate the toxic plant and Common Names: Lupines, Bluebonnet
were poisoned. Poisoning is usually related to feeding dry
hay or freshly cut fodder contaminated by Galega, and it The habitat and distribution of Lupinus is from dry to
is assumed that fodder containing no more than 10% moist soils, roadsides, fields, and mountains. Lupinus spp.
Galega will be toxic to sheep (Puyt et al., 1981). have alternate, palmately compound leaves and a variety
of colored flowers (red, yellow, blue, white, purple).
Clinical Presentation There are more than 500 species of annual, perennial, and
soft woody lupines worldwide with about 12 species in
The latency period is usually 12 24 h after ingestion of
Europe. Lupinus are cultivated in the Eastern Europe and
the plant. It is characterized by an asphyxic syndrome
Mediterranean regions as supplemental feed for livestock
caused by hydrothorax, which leads to death within hours.
with regulatory limitations of 100 μg alkaloids/g material.
A voluminous hydrotorax is observed during postmortem
The concentrations of major alkaloids are highest in the
examination.
stems and leaves early in the growth phase, and these
alkaloids decrease as the plant matures.
HYPERICUM PERFORATUM
(HYPERICACEAE FAMILY) Toxicity
Common Names: St. John’s Wort, Goat Many species of Lupinus contain teratogenic quinolizidine
Weed, and Klamath Weed (anagyrine) and piperidine (ammodendrine) alkaloids.
Quinolizidine alkaloids (20 known) and piperidine alka-
There are various species of Hypericum, but the only spe- loids concentrate in seeds (fresh and dry).
cies of importance in Europe is Hypericum perforatum.
This perennial plant has a habitat and distribution in dry Clinical Presentation
soil, wood, pastures, ranges, and along roadsides.
All grazing animals, particularly ruminants (i.e., sheep,
Toxicity cattle, goats), are affected by Lupinus spp. Horses and
pigs are also affected. Acute course is characterized by
The photodynamic pigment (hypericin), a red fluorescent
inappetence, dyspnea, struggle, convulsions, and death
found in the black dots that are scattered over the surface
from respiratory paralysis. Some species are teratogenic
of the leaves, stems, and petals, can be absorbed and is
in cattle (Kahn, 2010). They produced congenital birth
capable of sensitizing the pigment of animals to sunlight.
defects (cleft palate, multiple congenital contractures,
bowed limbs, scoliosis, kyphosis, and torticollis) in preg-
Clinical Presentation nant goats gavaged with plant material during gestation
The clinical signs occur from 48 h to 21 days of grazing days 30 60 (Panter et al., 1990). The mechanism of
the plant or as a result of ingesting contaminated hay or action for Lupinus-induced malformations and cleft palate
fodder. This delay depends on the time required for has been attributed to reduction in fetal movement. The
hypericin to reach a critical concentration in the skin and mechanism of action of the teratogenic effects of Lupinus,
also the intensity and duration of sunlight to which ani- Conium and Nicotiana spp. is believed to be identical
mals are exposed (Faliu et al., 1986). (Panter et al., 1990).
The animals most affected are cattle, horses, sheep, Lupinosis is an animal disease characterized by
and goats; pigs are rarely affected. Poisoning occurs when hepatic steatosis, anorexia, weight loss, jaundice, and stu-
the animals are exposed to sunlight and is characterized por that occurs in animals grazing on Lupinus species
by photosensensitization, severe pruritus (head, ears, face, infected by a saprophytic fungus, mycotoxin-producing
and extremities) and dermatitis with ulceration, erythema, Diaporthe toxica (formerly Phomopsis leptostromiformis).
blindness, convulsions, diarrhea, and extreme hypersensi- Ingestion of the fungal metabolites, the hexapeptide pho-
tivity to touch and to contact with cold water. The lesions mopsis, can lead to liver disease in sheep called lupinosis.