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Diagnosis and Treatment of Livestock Poisoning by Water Hemlock

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Water hemlock, commonly known as wild celery, is a perennial plant of the Apiaceae family that prefers growing in moist, low-lying areas. Its toxicity is mainly concentrated in the roots and stems, and the toxic component is the alkaloid cicutoxin. Because water hemlock sprouts earlier and grows faster than other plants in spring, when grazing in low-lying areas in early spring, cattle and sheep are the first to spot the young water hemlock seedlings and immediately eat them, and they also gnaw off the rhizomes exposed above the ground. Since its rhizomes have a slightly sweet taste and are favored by cattle and sheep, poisoning occurs once a certain amount is consumed. 1. Clinical symptoms: Sudden onset during grazing, presenting with restlessness and agitation, rapid breathing, ruminal bloat, and abdominal pain

Water hemlock, commonly known as wild celery, is a perennial plant of the Apiaceae family that prefers growing in moist, low-lying areas. Its toxicity is mainly concentrated in the roots and stems, and the toxic component is the alkaloid cicutoxin. Because water hemlock sprouts earlier and grows faster than other plants in spring, when grazing in low-lying areas in early spring, cattle and sheep are the first to spot the young water hemlock seedlings and immediately eat them, and they also gnaw off the rhizomes exposed above the ground. Since its rhizomes have a slightly sweet taste and are favored by cattle and sheep, poisoning occurs once a certain amount is consumed.

1. Clinical symptoms: Sudden onset during grazing, presenting with restlessness and agitation, rapid breathing, ruminal bloat, abdominal pain and diarrhea, and generalized convulsions, followed by collapse to the ground due to difficulty standing. The head and neck are thrown back, the jaws are clenched, the limbs are extended, the pulse is rapid, and the heartbeat is strong. In the later stage, the animal lies motionless, the pulse becomes weak and thready, reflexes disappear, and death occurs due to paralysis of the respiratory center.

2. Necropsy changes: Severe congestion, hemorrhage, and swelling of the gastric and intestinal mucosa; congestion of the brain and meninges; hemorrhagic phenomena in the endocardium, myocardium, kidneys, bladder mucosa, and subcutaneous connective tissue; and thin blood.

3. Diagnosis: It can be determined based on clinical symptoms and a history of water hemlock poisoning found through pasture investigation.

4. Treatment: If detected early or if the amount consumed is small, treatment is possible. First, rapidly evacuate the stomach contents. After gastric lavage with 0.1% potassium permanganate solution, administer 200 mL of iodine solution (iodine 1 g, potassium iodide 2 g, water 1500 mL) orally, and repeat once after 2 hours. At the same time, intravenously inject chloral hydrate, magnesium sulfate, chlorpromazine, etc., to relieve spasms. To improve cardiac function, cardiotonics, glucose, and vitamin C, etc., should also be used.

5. Prevention: In early spring grazing, areas where toxic plants grow or low-lying areas should be avoided. When necessary, the pasture should be inspected once before grazing; in early spring grazing, a small amount of feed should be given first to prevent livestock from eating indiscriminately due to hunger; in areas where water hemlock grows, the soil should be deep-plowed to improve the pasture.

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