Curing experimental Bryophyllum tubiflorum poisoning of cattle with activated carbon, electrolyte replacement solution and antiarrhythmic drugs.
A slurry of activated carbon (activated charcoal) in electrolyte replacement solution given by stomach tube and antiarrhythmic drugs given parenterally cured 9 of 11 calves dosed 7 to 24 h previously with a lethal amount (20g/kg) of Bryophyllum tubiflorum flower heads. Two of another 4 calves treated 26 to 36 h after dosing with flowers survived. B. tubiflorum toxins are bufadienolides (cardiac glycosides). Activated carbon was effective at a single dose of 5 g/kg. Calves were rehydrated with oral electrolyte replacement solution at 150 ml/kg in divided doses over 24 h. Tachycardia was treated with intravenous lignocaine (200 mg doses) or propranolol (5 mg doses) and atrioventricular block with atropine (0.5 mg/kg).
McKenzie
R A
RA
Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Animal Research Institute, Yeerongpilly, Queensland.
Dunster
P J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001285:Atropine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002301:Cardiac Glycosides / Q000506:poisoning; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002606:Charcoal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D002301:Cardiac Glycosides; D002606:Charcoal; D001285:Atropine; D008012:Lidocaine; D011433:Propranolol