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The potential toxicity of Australian weeds to goats

The potential toxicity of Australian weeds to goats

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CROTOLARIA SPP<br />

Alternative Name:<br />

Rattlepods<br />

Toxicity <strong>to</strong> Goats:<br />

Toxic, moderate risk<br />

Toxicity <strong>to</strong> Other Species:<br />

Toxic <strong>to</strong> horses, pigs, cattle, and <strong>to</strong> a lesser<br />

extent sheep<br />

Palatability: Seldom eaten<br />

Poisonous Principle:<br />

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids<br />

Effects:<br />

Signs and symp<strong>to</strong>ms; Sometimes chronic<br />

weight loss, or sometimes acute jaundice<br />

with or without pho<strong>to</strong>sensitization, or<br />

sometimes sudden death with no other<br />

signs.<br />

Health and production problems; Chronic<br />

ingestion <strong>of</strong> this plant may lead <strong>to</strong><br />

significant liver damage and subsequent<br />

reduced long term productivity.<br />

Chronically damaged livers in some<br />

ruminants are inclined <strong>to</strong> accumulate<br />

excessive amounts <strong>of</strong> copper, which can<br />

ultimately be released and kill the animal in<br />

the process.<br />

Integrated Control Strategy:<br />

Variable. Some species are ornamental, some<br />

are fodder, yet others are <strong>to</strong>xic.<br />

Do not feed garden clippings <strong>to</strong> any lives<strong>to</strong>ck.<br />

Be aware <strong>of</strong> <strong>potential</strong> s<strong>to</strong>ck problems.<br />

Comments:<br />

Goats and sheep may <strong>to</strong>lerate many months <strong>of</strong><br />

ingestion, but eventually risk being poisoned if<br />

the plant has been eaten in significant amounts<br />

for more than one season. By this stage some<br />

animals may start <strong>to</strong> loose weight and become<br />

ill thrifty and others, which appear <strong>to</strong> be in<br />

very good condition, may suddenly become<br />

jaundiced or die. Chronic liver damage in<br />

horses, and <strong>to</strong> a lesser extent in cattle, can<br />

result in secondary brain damage.<br />

27<br />

Of the 37 species, native or naturalised in<br />

Australia, about 16 are <strong>to</strong>xic <strong>to</strong> lives<strong>to</strong>ck. <strong>The</strong><br />

leaf shapes are variable, but the flowers are all<br />

pea-shaped, and mostly yellow. <strong>The</strong> ripe seeds<br />

become loose in the pods and rattle when<br />

shaken.<br />

Found in NSW, Queensland and the Northern<br />

Terri<strong>to</strong>ry.

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