Hepato-renal toxicosis characterized in sheep dosed intraruminally with snakeweed foliage (Gutierrezia spp).
To investigate the acute effects of snakeweed foliage (SW, Gutierrezia spp), 6 ruminally fistulated wethers (avg BW 78.6 kg) were dosed intraruminally (2/dose) with 454 g ground SW foliage, 227 g SW + 227 g alfalfa, or 454 g alfalfa daily for 5 d. Rumen fluid and blood samples were collected daily before SW dosage, and on day 6 the animals were euthanized and examined. At d 5, SW increased direct and indirect bilirubin indicating impaired hepatocyte function with biliary involvement and cholestasis. Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase concentrations were elevated, and pale yellowish enlarged livers were observed in SW-dosed animals. Serum creatinine concentrations were increased 2-fold by SW, suggesting renal impairment. Rumens from dosed animals were compacted with hemorrhagic and necrotic mucosa suggesting SW-impaired rumen motility and microbial fermentation. One wether dosed with 454 g SW died after SW dosage for 2 d.
Edrington
T S
TS
Department of Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces 88003.
Ross
T T
TT
Smith
G S
GS
Hall
L
L
Oetting
B C
BC
Williams
J L
JL
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000662:veterinary*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D012417:Rumen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012756:Sheep / Q000097:blood*; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary
D001786:Blood Glucose