Abstract 579

Dobereiner,-J; Tokarnia,-CH; Silva,-MF-da; Da-Silva,-MF

Unidade Pesquisa Patologia Animal, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro 23460, Brazil.

Pesquisa-Veterinaria-Brasileira. 1983, 3: 1, 17-24; 5 ref.

Fresh leaves or shoots of this creeping shrub or vine (known locally as gibata or xibata) were fed to 23 cattle in varying amounts. The lethal dose was between 2.5 and 15 g/kg body weight. Illness commenced 3-23 h after ingestion, and death occurred after 3-24 h. It was not known why the toxic dosage and effects were so variable. Signs included staggering, collapse, dyspnea and a jugular pulse. The only post mortem (histological) finding was epithelial degeneration in the distal renal tubules. This was the most important poisonous plant in lowland areas of the Amazon region. Cattle ate the plant only when hungry, such as during the seasonal movement to or from the lowland areas in July-August and February-March.