title: Alpaca plant poisonings: nitrate-nitrite and possible cyanide.
abstract: Nitrate-nitrite poisoning killed four adult alpacas and induced the abortion of a full-term fetus after access to oaten hay (Avena sativa) containing 3.2% KNO(3) equivalent in dry matter. Necropsy findings were cyanosis, dark-coloured blood, and pulmonary congestion and oedema. Aqueous humour from two adults contained 25 mg NO(3)/L and that from the fetus contained 10 mg NO(3)/L. Cyanide poisoning possibly killed two adult wether alpacas that ate a garden-cultivated variety of Osteospermum ecklonis (South African daisy, bietou) with a cyanide potential of 6800 mg HCN/kg dry matter.
authors.affiliation: Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory, Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries Queensland, Locked Mail Bag No. 4, Moorooka 4105, Queensland, Australia. ross.mckenzie@dpi.qld.gov.au
authors.forename: Ra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Bg
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Burren
authors.forename: Ja
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Mp
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gardner
mesh_terms: D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000209:etiology; D000818:Animals; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning*; D018554:Avena / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning*; D002161:Camelids, New World; D003486:Cyanides / Q000506:poisoning; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009566:Nitrates / Q000506:poisoning; D009573:Nitrites / Q000506:poisoning; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011793:Queensland
chemical_list: D003486:Cyanides; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites