Toxicity treatment of cyanogenic plants in ruminant: a review

This review discusses the harmful effects of cyanogenic plants on ruminant livestock. These plants, including sorghum, cherry, peach, corn, and others, contain cyanogenic glycosides that release toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) when broken down in the rumen. Ruminants are especially vulnerable due to the presence of specific enzymes in their digestive system that speed up this process. Cyanide poisoning can cause laboured breathing, muscle tremors, convulsions, and coma, often leading to death within hours if untreated. Diagnosis can be confirmed using tests on rumen contents or plants, such as the picric acid paper test. Postmortem signs include organ congestion and a bitter almond smell in the stomach. Treatment involves intravenous administration of sodium nitrate and sodium thiosulfate. The article emphasizes the importance of early treatment and highlights the difficulty of accessing specific antidotes in veterinary practice. Prevention through proper feed management is essential to avoid livestock losses due to plant poisoning. KEYWORDS: , , , ,