Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to adequately investigate the most frequent causes of poisoning in camels and sheep in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: Appropriate data were carefully collected from the recorded animal poisoning cases in the Veterinary Health and Monitoring Department, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), during the period (from 2018 to 2019). All recorded cases were accurately diagnosed with a case history and reported clinical signs as well as definitive confirmation by laboratory analysis of the collected samples. Results: From the recorded data of 852 camel and sheep poisoned cases, the results showed that the primary causes of animal poisoning in Saudi Arabia were Cyanogenic glycosides (42.25%), Pesticides (26.76%), Mycotoxins (18.8%), and Drugs (12.2%). These cases were recorded only in 5 geographical regions (Riyadh, Qassim, Makkah, Northern borders, and Eastern province) Conclusion: Accidental toxicity in camel and sheep in KSA was mainly caused by Cyanogenic glycosides, Pesticides, Mycotoxins, and Drug toxicity. The frequent reasons for possible toxicity should be minimized through active veterinary extension.
Highlights
The local populations of camels and sheep found in Saudi Arabia in 2017 were estimated to be around 485926 and 9328455 heads, respectively. (FAOSTAT, 2019)
From the recorded data of 852 camel and sheep poisoned cases, the results showed that the primary causes of animal poisoning in Saudi Arabia were Cyanogenic glycosides (42.25%), Pesticides (26.76%), Mycotoxins (18.8%), and Drugs (12.2%)
The resulted data showed that all the recorded poisoning cases were located in 5 regions in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), these data were expounded in Table (1), presenting the number of poisoned cases in relation to animal species, cause of poisoning, and geographical area
Summary
The local populations of camels and sheep found in Saudi Arabia in 2017 were estimated to be around 485926 and 9328455 heads, respectively. (FAOSTAT, 2019). The nature of camel and sheep desert habitat in Saudi Arabia makes them undergo hunger, thirst, and other stress factors, especially during the extended dry season. Under these stress factors, camels and sheep become more liable to some diseases and poisoning conditions which may adversely affect their reproductive and productive performances (Kumar et al, 2012; Ramendra et al, 2016; Bhardwaj et al, 2018). Potential sources of xenobiotics that adversely affect animals include contaminated feed, water, air, and soil (Donner et al, 2010). The most common causes of animal toxicity include chemical toxins, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and drugs and biological toxicants, for example, mycotoxins, poisonous plants, snake bites, and scorpion stings (Modrá and Svobodová, 2009)
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