An Overview of <i>Ipomoea carnea</i> subspecies <i>fistulosa</i> toxicosis in ruminants

Abstract

Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa (convolvulaceae) is identified and confirmed as a poisonous plant to animals in many parts of the world. It is evergreen and common in Sahel region of Nigeria where there is lack of green pasture in most part of the year. It contains two toxic principles, swainsonine and calystegines causing neurological condition called acquired lysosomal storage disease. Its toxicological status is not determined in the region despite risk of poisoning. Therefore it is being reviewed for its toxic effects, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentations, pathology, diagnosis and management. More attention should be paid to the plant as potential source of toxins for domestic animals in the Sahel region of Nigeria. Keywords : Clinical presentation, Epidemiology, Goats, Ipomoea carnea, Pathogenesis, toxins, Sahel region