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Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc1996; 8(3); 358-364; doi: 10.1177/104063879600800314

Diagnosis of oleander poisoning in livestock.

Abstract: Since mid-1989, 37 cases of oleander poisoning in livestock have been diagnosed at the California Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System. The most frequent source for oleander exposure was plant clippings. Sudden death was the most common presenting complaint. Other signs reported included diarrhea, pulmonary edema, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, colic, and lethargy. In the past, a presumptive diagnosis of oleander poisoning could be based only on matching clinical signs with evidence of consumption of oleander. A new 2 dimensional Thin-layer chromatography analysis of ingesta for oleandrin and an awareness of lesions in heart muscle have greatly improved the ability to diagnose oleander toxicosis.
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Publication Date: 1996-07-01 PubMed ID: 8844581DOI: 10.1177/104063879600800314Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses diagnosing oleander poisoning in livestock, highlighting an improved diagnosis methodology involving a new 2D thin-layer chromatography analysis and considering heart muscle lesions. The findings are based on 37 diagnosed cases in California since mid-1989.

Background of the Research

  • The study was initiated because of an increase in oleander poisoning cases in livestock that were observed at the California Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System since mid-1989. A total of 37 such cases were diagnosed through the duration of the study.

Oleander Poisoning Source and Symptoms

  • The most common source of oleander poisoning in the examined cases was found to be plant clippings. This indicates that livestock were being exposed to the toxic plant commonly through accidental ingestion of trimmed plants or shrubs.
  • The number one symptom that animals presented was sudden death, making diagnosis and treatment exceedingly difficult.
  • Other signs observed included diarrhea, pulmonary edema, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, colic, and lethargy. These symptoms serve as warning signs for farmers and veterinarians to consider oleander poisoning in differential diagnoses.

Old versus New Method of Diagnosis

  • Prior to this research, a presumptive diagnosis of oleander poisoning could be made based only on the detection of clinical signs matched with proof of oleander consumption. However, due to the most common symptom of oleander poisoning being sudden death, this method of detection often proved ineffective.
  • This research introduces a new method of oleander toxicosis diagnosis, comprising two components. Firstly, the use of a 2D thin-layer chromatography analysis for identifying the presence of oleandrin, the toxic compound in oleander, in the animal’s digestive contents. Secondly, it includes an examination for lesions in the heart muscle, a common ailment related to oleander poisoning.

Significance of the Findings

  • The new method of diagnosing oleander poisoning greatly improves the ability to confirm the cause of specific symptoms or sudden death, paving the way for more effective treatment and potential prevention strategies.
  • This research is crucial as it broadens the knowledge base and provides a diagnostic toolset for veterinary practioners, helping mitigate the risk posed by oleander poisoning to livestock health.

Cite This Article

APA
Galey FD, Holstege DM, Plumlee KH, Tor E, Johnson B, Anderson ML, Blanchard PC, Brown F. (1996). Diagnosis of oleander poisoning in livestock. J Vet Diagn Invest, 8(3), 358-364. https://doi.org/10.1177/104063879600800314

Publication

Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc
ISSN: 1040-6387
NlmUniqueID: 9011490
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 3
Pages: 358-364

Researcher Affiliations

Galey, F D
  • California Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Holstege, D M
    Plumlee, K H
      Tor, E
        Johnson, B
          Anderson, M L
            Blanchard, P C
              Brown, F

                MeSH Terms

                • Animal Feed
                • Animals
                • California / epidemiology
                • Camelids, New World
                • Cattle
                • Cattle Diseases
                • Female
                • Food Contamination
                • Foodborne Diseases / epidemiology
                • Foodborne Diseases / pathology
                • Foodborne Diseases / veterinary
                • Heart Ventricles
                • Horse Diseases
                • Horses
                • Male
                • Myocardium / pathology
                • Necrosis
                • Plant Leaves
                • Plants, Toxic

                Citations

                This article has been cited 18 times.
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