Effects of Crotalaria saltiana on Nubian goats

Ten Nubian goats were given daily oral doses ranging from 0.5 to 10 g/kg/day of the fresh shoots of Crotalaria saltiana; they died at various times after dosing. The main signs of Crotalaria poisoning were dullness, dyspnea, inappetence, loss of condition and arching of the back. An increase in the concentration of ammonia, in the activity of GOT, and a decrease in total protein, calcium and magnesium were detected in the serum. The main pathological changes were hemorrhages in the lungs, heart and spleen, focal catarrhal enteritis, hepatic portal fibrosis, dilatation of the renal tubules and straw-colored fluid in the peritoneal cavity.