Page 96 - Veterinary Toxicology, Basic and Clinical Principles, 3rd Edition

Epidemiology of Animal Poisonings in Asia Chapter | 4 63

VetBooks.ir potential risks due to their detrimental effects on human details in the skin (Sikdar et al., 2000; Dandapat et al.,
2011). All the cattle that were showing clinical symptoms
health (Patil et al., 2014).
Raising buffaloes and cattle in Pakistan, Nepal, and
were treated with Antidegnala liquor 5 mL s/c followed
India is one way of augmenting the financial resources of by 2 mL daily for next 10 days. The animals receiving the
village people. These animals are mainly raised on rice treatment recovered promptly (Karki et al., 2013).
and wheat Straw, which are of poor nutritional quality. Several cases of systemic mycosis have been reported
Rice and wheat plants, when infested by fungus Fusarium in Japan. A 10-year study showed that 45 of 692 cattle
and in association with other fungi species, are responsi- aged 6 months or older had systemic mycosis. Out of these,
ble for Deg nala disease in Pakistan, Nepal, and India 38 had alimentary mycosis with lesions in various sites
(Ghimire, 2012). This disease not only causes severe were: rumen (73.7), omasum (71.1), abomasum (34.2),
health problems, it can cause significant economic losses reticulum (21.1), intestine (15.8), omasoabomasal orifice
as a result of decreased production exacerbated by (7.9), and tongue (2.6). Infections in both the fore stomachs
reduced growth rate, mortality, and poor animal perfor- and abomasum occurred in 31.6%; mucormycosis was
mance. It causes necrosis and gangrene of the dependent found in 94.7% and aspergillosis in 31.6%; 26.3% (10
parts in cows and buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis L.). A num- cattle) had complicated infections with both Mucorales and
ber of cases were recorded stemming from a monsoon Aspergillus, and eight of these animals had mixed lesions
rain water stream in the area of Murdike (Sheikhpura of both mucormycosis and aspergillosis. Macroscopically,
District) near Nala Deg in Pakistan (Shirlow, 1939). focal hemorrhagic necrosis was seen in all 38 cattle.
Subsequently, widespread occurrence of the disease has Histologically, thrombosis, coagulative necrosis and
been reported from rice growing areas of Indo-Pakistan hyphae typical of the order Mucorales or of Aspergillus
border. The diseased animals were invariably weak; ulcer- spp. were found. Many of the cattle were also affected by
ative wounds and gangrene developed on the limbs and ruminal acidosis inducing factors (ruminal atony 81.6%,
other dependent parts of the body. Almost all cases mastitis 63.2%, “downer cow syndrome” 57.9%, and partu-
showed gangrene of the tail, which was shriveled and cold rition 50.0%). The study revealed that involvement of
to the touch. Invariably, one or both ears showed signs of toxigenic fungi and their associated mycotoxins are
dry gangrene. In some cases, the muzzle and even the tip common in various parts of Asia (Chihaya et al., 1992;
of the tongue became gangrenous and were shed. One or Antonissen et al., 2013).
more hooves showed lesions in varying stages of develop-
ment, legs were swollen up to the knee; hair was denuded
HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS
and inflammatory changes set in. Later, wounds appeared
on the coronet, fetlock, pastern, and knee, and in the hock Information on potential poisonings due to household pro-
region. In very advanced cases the lower regions of the ducts in animal species is largely lacking. In general,
feet became gangrenous, hooves were shed and bones companion animals share our domestic environment; they
were exposed. The gangrenous portions of the tail, tips of are highly exposed to household products. They are
the ears, tongue and other affected parts of the body, exposed to drugs, domestic chemicals, common solvents
dropped off, although wounds healed in the course of time (used in paint and paint solvents), and pesticides.
(Ifran, 1971; Kalra and Bhatia, 1990; Dhillon, 1973; Ifran Exposure to these substances usually results in very
and Maqbool, 1986; Karki et al., 2013). severe poisoning, at least in dogs, with a high mortality
Epizootiological studies carried out during the years rate. Other common household substances include deter-
1968 78, involving 370 herds from 136 villages of gents caustics (bleach, strong acids and bases), cosmetics,
Haryana, India, showed the incidence of the disease var- fuels, ethylene glycol, zootoxins, petroleum products, ker-
ied from year to year, assuming serious proportions in osene and fertilizer, which results in moderately severe
certain years. The morbidity and mortality rates were cases with digestive disorders (Gupta, 2014).
61.61% and 13.93%, respectively, in buffaloes, and Poisoning or suspected poisoning as a result of inges-
13.49% and 2.41% in cattle, with no sex and age differ- tion of toxic ornamental plant products is a relatively
ences (Kalra and Bhatia, 1990). Several incidences of common occurrence, and cats appear to be more sensitive
gangrenous syndrome/Deg nala disease has been recorded and more at risk than dogs, presumably because they tend
in a large number of buffaloes and cows in other parts of to chew on plant leaves. A few major plant species
the country, such as Murshidabad district of West Bengal, involved in poisoning of companion animals are Liliaceae
India. Fusarium spp. had been isolated from the moldy and Araceae; oleander (Nerium oleander), castor bean
paddy straw that was fed to the animals. There was a (Ricinus communis), and Jimson weed (Datura stramo-
reduction in the incidence of the disease following with- nium). Rarely other ornamental plants such as dumbcane
drawal of the moldy padded straw. Histopathological (Dieffenbachia spp.), ficus (Ficus benjamina), pittosporo
examination showed necrosis and loss of architectural (Pittosporum tobira), poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima),