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Evaluation of activated charcoal as treatment for Yellow tulp (Moraea pallida) poisoning in cattle

L D Snyman^I; R A Schultz^I; C J Botha^II; L Labuschagne^I; J P J Joubert^I

^IARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa
^IIDepartment of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa

ABSTRACT

The efficacy of activated charcoal as a treatment for cattle (n = 57) poisoned by Yellow tulp (Moraea pallida) was investigated. Treatment with activated charcoal resulted in full recovery, irrespective of the degree of posterior paresis, provided that this clinical sign did not develop within the first 12 hours after initial exposure to Yellow tulp-infested grazing. For instance, despite treatment, 1 of 7 cattle succumbed after manifesting mild posterior paresis 6 to 8 h after initial exposure and 3 of 3 treated cattle died after developing severe posterior paresis within 6 to 12 h.

Keywords: activated charcoal, Moraea pallida, treatment, Yellow tulp poisoning

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REFERENCES

1. Joubert, J P J, Schultz R A 1982. The treatment of Moraea polystachya (Thunb) Ker-Gawl (cardio glycoside) poisoning in sheep and cattle with activated charcoal and potassium chloride. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 53: 249-253        [ Links ]

2. Joubert J P J, Schultz R A 1982. The minimal effective dose of activated charcoal in the treatment of sheep poisoned with the cardiac glycoside plant Moraea polystachya (Thunb) Ker-Gawl. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 53: 265-266        [ Links ]

3. Kellerman T S, Coetzer J A W, Naudé T W, Botha C J 2005. Plant poisonings and mycotoxicoses of livestock in southern Africa (2nd edn). Oxford University Press, Cape Town        [ Links ]

4. Snyman L D, Kellerman T S, Schultz R A, Joubert J P J, Basson K M, Labuschagne L 2004. Conditioned feed aversion as a means of preventing intake of yellow-tulp (Homeria pallida) by livestock. In Acamovic T, Steward C S, Pennycott T W (eds) Poisonous plants and related toxins. Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Poisonous Plants, Glasgow, Scotland, 6-10 August 2001: 531-539        [ Links ]

5. Snyman L D, Schultz R A, Joubert J P J, Basson K M, Labuschagne L 2003. Conditioned feed aversion as a means to prevent tulp (Homeria pallida) poisoning in cattle. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 70: 43-48        [ Links ]

6. Snyman L D, Schultz R A, Joubert J P J, Labuschagne L, Basson K M, Molefe M J 2007. Conditioned feed aversion as a means to prevent tulp (Moraea simulans and Moraea pallida) poisoning of cattle under natural grazing conditions. In Panter K E, Wierenga T L, Pfister J A (eds) Poisonous plants: global research and solutions. Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Poisonous Plants, Utah, 6-10 June 2005: 420-422        [ Links ]

7. Strydom J A, Joubert J P J 1983. The effect of pre-dosing Homeria pallida to cattle to prevent tulp poisoning. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 54: 201-203        [ Links ]

Received: May 2009
Accepted: October 2009

* Authors for correspondence. E-mail: ldsnyman@oranet.co.za; schultza@arc.agric.za
‡ Present address: 16 Hickman street, Parys, 9585 South Africa.