Hematobiochemical, pathomorphological and therapeutic features of Ficus tsjahela toxicity in Malnad Gidda cattle

Abstract

Malnad Gidda cattle native of Western Ghat districts of Karnataka do consume the leaves of Ficus tsjahela accidently and succumb to toxicity. The clinical signs of the toxicity include initial excitation, paddling movements, stereotypic gnawing behavior, ataxia, salivation, hyperaesthesia, nystagmus, generalized tonic clonic seizures, recumbency and eating inanimate objects. The affected Malnad Gidda were managed successfully with administration of diazepam @ 0.5 mg/kg i/v, B-complex vitamin inj 10 ml per animal deep IM, 10% dextrose solution 5-10 ml/kg slow IV 2 times a day at 10 to 12 h for a duration of 3-4 days with administration of activated charcoal @ 2g/kg orally. The estimated hematological parameters like Hb, TC, DLC etc. were unaltered. There was an increasing in serum biochemical parameters like ALT, AST, BUN, creatinine and glucose and no change in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus In post mortem, the gross lesions were extensive hemorrhage in brain and histology revealed the degenerative changes in the neurons and glial cells. Phytoconstituents like glycosides, diterpenes, tannins, terpenes, steroids, lactones and flavonoids were detected in methanol extract of the plant leaf.