Plants Causing Sudden Death in Livestock

Evaluation of factors contributing to excessive nitrate accumulation in fodder crops leading to Ill-health in dairy animals

“…Some species, viz., sorghum, oats, sudan grass, etc., are known nitrate accumulators and may cause sudden death in animals. [6] Nitrate can be detected in traceable amounts in all plants but it becomes dangerous when it exceeds the safe limit of 2500 ppm NO 3 -N and forages having more than 4500 ppm NO 3 -N are considered highly toxic. Seven outbreaks due to consumption of fodder having excessive amount of nitrate have been recorded in bovines in Punjab during 2002–2007 (Annual Progress Reports, Animal Disease Research Centre, GADVASU, Ludhiana; 2002-2007; unpublished data).…”

Acute oxalate intoxication associated to ingestion of eshnan (Seidlitzia rosmarinus) in sheep

“…Acute poisoning and death in sheep can occur in pastures containing as little as 2% soluble oxalate by dry matter (McKenzie et al 1988). However, induction of acute oxalate intoxication depends on several factors including the rate of consumption, the amount and quality of other feed consumed concurrently, total amount of oxalate consumed, and adaptation to diet containing oxalate (Burrows and Tyrl 1989;Pickrell and Oehme 2004;Radositits et al 2007). Ruminants in general tolerate relatively more oxalate in their diet than other animals because ruminal microfloras readily metabolize a portion of ingested oxalate, thereby preventing the absorption of soluble oxalate.…”

“…Ruminants in general tolerate relatively more oxalate in their diet than other animals because ruminal microfloras readily metabolize a portion of ingested oxalate, thereby preventing the absorption of soluble oxalate. In addition, the population of ruminal oxalate-degrading microflora increases with gradual exposure to higher concentration of oxalate for 3-4 days and such animals are able to consume considerably greater quantities of oxalate-bearing plants than are animals rapidly consume a single comparable dose (Allison et al 1977;Burrows and Tyrl 1989;Radositits et al 2007). Indeed, hungry and unadapted ruminants are the most susceptible ones to oxalate intoxication.…”

Poisonous Plants and Plant Toxins that are Likely to Contaminate Hay and Other Prepared Feeds in the Western United States

“…Plants predisposed to accumulate toxic nitrate concentrations (> 0.5%) are listed in Table 3, which includes many weeds that commonly invade forages. 8 For example, kochia (Kochia scoparia; Fig. 1) accumulates nitrates and often contaminates recently planted hay fi elds.…”

“…Partial list of plants predisposed to accumulate toxic nitrate concentrations (> 0.5%) that may contaminate hay and prepared forages8 …”