Haematological and biochemical changes in cattle poisoned by Gnidia latifolia syn. Lasiosiphon latifolius (Thymelaeaceae).

Haematological and serum biochemical examinations were carried out on 12 high grade bull calves fed Gnidia latifolia (Meisn). This resulted in lymphocytopaenia, increased blood urea nitrogen and lactate dehydrogenase. There were no changes in the red blood cell counts, neutrophil counts, aspartate amino transferase, creatine phosphokinase and alkaline phosphatase. There was also no change in serum protein concentration. Post-mortem changes in the acutely intoxicated calves included petechial haemorrhages of the epicardium and submucosa of the rumen, abomasum and the intestines. The chronic cases showed a generalized emaciation with gelatinous atrophy of the body fat and accumulation of excess fluid in the body cavities. The lymph nodes and spleen showed lymphocytic degeneration with cellular depletion in the follicles. There were extensive liver fibroses in the chronic cases.