The combined toxicity of Aristolochia bracteata and Cadaba rotundifolia to goats.

The sequential development of the clinical signs and lesions in the organs of Nubian goats fed on Aristolochia bracteata (Um Galagel) and Cadaba rotundifolia (Kurmut) and their mixture in certain proportions was studied. Kidney and liver function was tested and the results correlated with pathological and clinical changes. Diarrhea, dyspnea, tympany, arching of the back, and loss of condition and hair from the back were the prominent signs of Aristolochia poisoning in goats. The main pathological changes were hemorrhages in the lungs, heart and kidneys, fatty change and congestion in the liver, catarrhal abomasitis and enteritis, and straw-colored fluid in serous cavities. An increase in GOT activity and ammonia and urea concentrations, and a decrease in the concentrations of total protein and magnesium were detected in the serum of Aristolochia-poisoned goats. The clinical signs in goats fed with C rotundifolia were pronounced depression, diarrhea, frothing at the mouth, dyspnea, ataxia, loss of condition and recumbency. The lesions consisted of diffuse hemorrhage in the abomasum, heart and lungs, catarrhal enteritis, erosions on the intestinal mucous membrane, degeneration and/or necrosis of the cells of the renal tubules, and fatty change and necrosis in the liver. These changes were correlated with those in the serum constituents and blood cells. The effects of A bracteata and C rotundifolia were additive in goats.