Abstract
ABSTRACT. Brito M.F., França T.N., Oliveira L.I., Ramos A.S., Peixoto T.C. & Aragão A.P. [Spontaneous poisoning by Cestrum laevigatum in a goat in the state of Rio de Janeiro – A case report]. Intoxicação espontânea por Cestrum laevigatum em um caprino no Rio de Janeiro – Relato de Caso. Revista de Medicina Veterinária, 32(1):55- 57, 2010. Departamento de Epidemiologia e Saúde Pública, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, BR 465 Km 7, Seropédica, RJ 23890- 000, Brasil. E-mail: marilene@ufrrj.br. This study describes natural poisoning by Cestrum laevigatum in a goat in the municipality of Queimados, RJ, in January 2007. The animal grazed native pasture with invasive plants. The poisoning occurred by voluntary ingestion of fresh leaves of the plant during an atypical period of drought. The animal showed signs of fatigue, difficulty to remain standing, staggering gait, frequent bleating, and died during the consultation at a veterinary clinic. Hemorrhages in subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscle of the dorsolateral region of the back, epicardium, duodenum and cecum were observed at necropsy. The liver exhibited subcapsular ecchymosis, and the cut surface showed a nutmeg pattern. The contents of the omasum and colon were dehydrated. The microscopic examination revealed centrilobular and midzonal coagulation necrosis of hepatic lobules. Although Cestrum laevigatum is widely distributed throughout the country, the natural occurrence of poisoning in goats seems to be very rare and there is only one case reporting it.