What to Do If a Pig Is Poisoned by Eating Toxic Plants

1. Crotalaria poisoning

The stems, leaves, and seeds of crotalaria are all toxic. The main toxic component is monocrotaline. After poisoning, pigs show vomiting, diarrhea, generalized tremors, unsteady gait, complete loss of appetite, and inability to stand; the ear tips feel cold, the lips and snout disc turn purple, the conjunctiva becomes cyanotic, the pupils dilate, breathing becomes deep and prolonged, and the animal becomes comatose, with body temperature dropping, heart rate slowing, and finally death. Necropsy reveals extensive gastrointestinal hemorrhage, mucosal sloughing, hemorrhage in the liver, kidneys, and heart, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. There is currently no specific therapy. The main measures are promoting the elimination of the toxin, supporting cardiac function, fluid replacement, and protecting the liver. It is strictly forbidden to feed pigs crotalaria stems, leaves, or seeds.

2. Cynanchum chinense poisoning

The toxic components of Cynanchum chinense are flavonoid glycosides. It is mainly seen in pigs. After poisoning, animals show reduced appetite, generalized paroxysmal spasms, and dilated pupils; depression, diarrhea, a tendency to lie down, and lethargy; in severe cases, unsteady gait, head and neck deviation, foaming at the mouth, and death. Necropsy reveals local congestion of the lungs; an enlarged, blue-colored liver with scattered necrotic foci on the surface; congestion and hemorrhage of the gastrointestinal mucosa, hemorrhage in the kidneys and bladder; and petechial hemorrhages on the endocardium. Treatment may include oral administration of activated charcoal and tannic acid, laxatives to promote toxin elimination, and at the same time supporting cardiac function, fluid replacement, and symptomatic treatment.

3. Papaya poisoning

The toxic components of papaya are papain, carpine, rennin, and others. Pigs develop symptoms 1 to 2 hours after ingestion. They show salivation, vomiting, teeth grinding, coldness of the ear tips, snout tip, and extremities, pale visible mucous membranes, tachycardia, and difficulty breathing; slowed reactions, muscle tremors, unsteady standing, coma, and death. Necropsy reveals subcutaneous congestion, cardiac dilation, renal congestion, and pulmonary edema and congestion. There is no specific antidotal therapy for this disease; emetics, gastric lavage, laxatives, and symptomatic treatment may be used. Feeding pigs papaya should be strictly prohibited.

4. Acalypha australis poisoning

The toxic components of Acalypha australis are alkaloids, glycosides, and tannins. After poisoning, pigs show vomiting, abdominal pain, and foaming at the mouth; restlessness and manic behavior; later, depression, inability to stand, muscle tremors, difficulty breathing, and rapid heartbeat. There is no specific antidotal therapy for this disease; emetics, gastric lavage, laxatives, and symptomatic treatment are used. Feeding pigs Acalypha australis is strictly prohibited.

5. Lambsquarters poisoning

Chenopodium album, commonly known as lambsquarters or grey goosefoot, has volatile oil as its toxic component and mainly harms pigs. Affected pigs show depression, reduced appetite, head shaking, squealing, and excitement; non-pigmented skin develops photosensitivity, with the skin behind the ears and on the back and flanks becoming mildly red, swollen, and itchy; in the later stage, weakness of the limbs, swaying gait, rapid breathing, inability to stand, and death in severe cases. There is currently no specific antidotal therapy; emetics, gastric lavage, laxatives, and symptomatic treatment are generally used. The proportion of lambsquarters in the pig diet should not exceed 20%.