Accidental Ricinus communis Oil Cake Intoxication in a Dairy Cow

Abstract

The aim of the study to report a case of spontaneous toxicity in a 5 year old crossbred Jersey cow with a history of accidental ingestion of Ricinus communis oil cake during the month of November 2017. The animal had anorexia and profuse watery yellowish mucoid diarrhoea. On clinical examination the animal showed dullness and depression, congested conjunctival mucous membrane, tachycardia and doughy rumen with absence of rumen motility. The whole blood and sera samples were collected for haemato-biochemical analysis. The haematological values showed mild haemoconcentration with normocytic normochromic anaemia. There was no abnormality in biochemical values. Electrocardiography revealed sinus tachycardia. On ultrasound examination the liver and kidney showed the normal contour and intestinal loops showed increased wall thickness without distension. The animal was treated with activated charcoal, egg white, fluid therapy, purgatives, antioxidants (ascorbic acid) and low dose of sodium bicarbonate. The animal recovered uneventfully after three days of treatment. Recovery is generally less common in ricin poisonings.