Stimulating eructation and vomition in normal and bloated ruminants with alkaloidal extracts from Veratrum spp
Mullenax, C.H.; Buck, W.B.; Keeler, R.F.; Binns, W.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 27: 211-222
1966
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 5913029 Document Number: 2789
Intravenous or intramuscular injections in cattle and sheep of certain ester alkaloidal preparations from the plants Veratrum viride and Veratrum californicum at levels of 0.2 to 10.0 mg./100 kg. of body weight (depending on the preparation used) resulted in responses typical of the vomition seen in nonruminant animals. Smaller doses effectively relieved nonfrothy bloat in cattle within 10 minutes after injection. However, the preparations were less effective in relief of frothy bloat. The preparations effectively stimulated the regurgitation phase of rumination within 3 hours following administration. A ruminatoric effect was also observed and sometimes lasted 48 hr. The effective dose range for a given preparation was small. Small increases in dose nullified the desirable effects; the bloat was not relieved and vomition was inhibited, whereas retching and straining were enhanced. Doses effectively relieving bloat, enhancing rumination, and stimulating vomition produced minimal, temporary toxic effects such as muscular incoordination and hypotension, which ended within an hour after administration. In order to detect alkaloidal residues in sheep tissues analyzed within minutes after injection, it was necessary to use doses at 2 orders of magnitude larger than the effective dose. Because of the small range of effective dose and the variation of responses among animals, further investigation will be required before these preparations can be used routinely. Separation and indentification of the most active component (s) of these preparations seem necessary.
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