OLIVEIRA NETO, T. S.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2605492689164778; OLIVEIRA NETO, Temístocles Soares de.
Resumo:
Outbreaks of plant poisoning in ruminants in the Agreste of the State of Paraíba are described.
This thesis is composed of three papers. In the first paper, accepted for publication in the
Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research, describes an outbreak of natural intoxication by
Portulaca elatior (Portulacaceae) in cattle. Clinical signs included abdominal pain, muscle
tremors, intense salivation, moderate bloat and dehydration. Macroscopic findings included
dehydration, reddening of the mucosa of the pre-stomachs, abomasum and intestines, and
ulceration of the ruminal mucosa. Histological lesions were degeneration and necrosis of the
superficial layers of the pre-stomach epithelium, necrosis and inflammation of the intestinal
mucosa and lymphoid necrosis. The second paper, accepted for publication in the journal
Semina: Agrarian Sciences, describes the spontaneous and experimental intoxication of cattle
by Cestrum laevigatum. The clinical signs observed in natural intoxications were respiratory
distress, hypersalivation, jugular engorgement, muscle tremors, incoordination and
recumbence. Experimental intoxication was performed in two cattle. Bovine 1 showed mild
clinical signs after the ingestion of 35 g/kg body weight of the plant. After an intake of 50
g/kg, Bovine 2 showed apathy, stool dryness, hypersalivation, hyperexcitability, head
pressure against objects, opisthotonous, nystagmus, miosis, jugular and episcleral vessel
engorgement, ruminal atony, muscle tremors, falls, incoordination, convulsions, sternal
decubitus and lateral decubitus followed by death. The main macroscopic changes observed in
naturally intoxicated animals and experimental animals were found in the liver. The
histopathological exam revealed diffuse centrilobular coagulation necrosis, associated with
hemorrhage and congestion, with the presence of vacuolization of the hepatocytes of the
midzonal regions. The third chapter, published in the journal Toxicon (v.135, p.12-16, 2017),
reports an outbreak of natural intoxication of goats by Palicourea aenefusca. The clinical
signs were characterized by motor incoordination, generalized muscle tremors, broad-based
posture, tachypnea, tachycardia, vocalization and respiratory distress. Macroscopic and
microscopic findings were characterized by hemorrhages and congestion of various organs.
Pulmonary edema was also observed. The main microscopic findings consisted of
cytoplasmic vacuolization and necrosis of the renal tubular epithelium.