Poisoning by Senna obtusifolia in sheep

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In a paddock highly invaded by Senna obtusifolia 10 out of 60 sheep showed muscle weakness and 9 died after a clinical manifestation period of 24-76 hours. Serum activities of creatine kinase were increased in all sheep examined. Multifocal polyphasic muscle segmental degeneration and necrosis was observed in skeletal muscles. Although the plant is a common weed in northeastern Brazil, the poisoning is rare, probably because the animals do not ingest it or due to toxicity variations.

Keywords

• Poisonous plants
• Senna obtusifolia
• sheep
• plant poisoning
• toxic myopathy
• segmental muscle necrosis
• toxicoses