Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
An outbreak of Swainsona poisoning in horses.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 1977
- Authors:
- O'Sullivan, B M & Goodwin, J A
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In south-western Queensland, several horses on six different properties became sick after eating a plant called Swainsona (Darling pea). The affected horses showed signs of weight loss, seemed very tired or depressed, and were overly sensitive or excitable. When two of these horses were examined after they died, veterinarians found changes in their brain cells and damage to their liver, adrenal glands, and thyroid. These symptoms and findings match what has been seen in other cases of Swainsona poisoning in Australia and similar plants in North America. The treatment for these horses is not mentioned, but the situation indicates serious health risks from this plant.
Abstract
On 6 properties in south-western Queensland an outbreak of nervous disease occurred horses due to ingestion of Swainsonia (Darling pea). Loss of condition, depression, hyperaesthesia and hyperexcitability were seen in affected horses. At autopsy of 2 horses generalised c ytoplasmic vacuolation was seen in the neurones of the central nervous system and in the liver, adrenal and thyroid. The clinical and pathological features were similar to those described in horses suffering from Swainsona poisoning in Australia and Astragalus and Oxytropis in North America.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/588181/