Neurological and gastrointestinal manifestations of spontaneous poisoning by Ricinus communis in goats

Abstract

An outbreak of Ricinus communis poisoning in goats with neurological and digestive changes was related to the ingestion of different vegetative parts of the plant. Two poisoned animals died within 5 h of the plant intake showing necrotic gastroenteritis and hepatocytes degeneration and necrosis. Toxicological analysis by HPLC-DAD assay demonstrated 21.1-25.1 μg/g of ricinine in samples of ruminal fluids and 10.1-10.9 μg/g in the liver of poisoned goats.

Keywords: Castor oil plant; Gastroenteritis; Neurological signs; Poisonous plants; Ricinine.