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The Pharma Innovation Journal 2020; SP-9(9): 154-156
ISSN (E): 2277- 7695
ISSN (P): 2349-8242
NAAS Rating: 5.03
TPI 2020; SP-9(9): 154-156
© 2020 TPI
www.thepharmajournal.com
Received: 18-07-2020
Accepted: 26-08-2020
Ravindrakumar Hatzade
Department of Veterinary
Clinical Medicine, Ethics and
Jurisprudence, Maharashtra
Animal and Fishery Sciences
University, Nagpur, Post
Graduate Institute of Veterinary
and Animal Sciences, Akola
Akola, Maharashtra, India
Sunil Waghmare
Department of Veterinary
Clinical Medicine, Ethics and
Jurisprudence, Maharashtra
Animal and Fishery Sciences
University, Nagpur, Post
Graduate Institute of Veterinary
and Animal Sciences, Akola
Akola, Maharashtra, India
Corresponding Author:
Ravindrakumar Hatzade
Department of Veterinary
Clinical Medicine, Ethics and
Jurisprudence, Maharashtra
Animal and Fishery Sciences
University, Nagpur, Post
Graduate Institute of Veterinary
and Animal Sciences, Akola
Akola, Maharashtra, India
Therapeutic management of onion (Allium cepa)
poisoning in a bullock: A case report
Ravindrakumar Hatzade and Sunil Waghmare
Abstract
A seven year old bullock was presented to the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex (TVCC), Post
Graduate Institute of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (PGIVAS), Akola with the complaint of passing
black colour faeces, dark red urine and anorexia since last 4-5 days. History and clinical examination
revealed accidental ingestion of large quantity of onions (Allium cepa), slight rise in rectal temperature
(100.2
0
F), tachycardia, increased respiratory rate, pale mucous membrane, passing of black colored
feces, anorexia, weakness, lethargy and staggering. The laboratory examination revealed low Hb, PCV
and TEC. The case was diagnosed as an onion poisoning on the basis of history, signs, clinical
examination and laboratory findings. The bullock was treated with the parenteral administration of
plasma volume expander, phosphorous, vitamins and haematinics preparation. Bullock showed clinical
improvement on second day and recovered completely within two weeks.
Keywords: Onion poisoning, bullock, anemia, haematinics
1. Introduction
The onion toxicosis in cattle may occur mainly where culled cultivated onions are
inadvertently fed to livestock or where animals have accidental access to places where onions
are stored
[1]
. Many workers reported hemolytic anemia in cattle, sheep, dogs, cats and horses
caused by spontaneous ingestion of onion (Allium cepa)
[2]
. Severe methemoglobinemia is
associated with onion toxicosis leads to cyanosis, hemolytic anemia with the formation of
Heinz bodies and death
[3]
. The clinical signs in cattle with onion toxicosis included
inappetence, staggering, abortion, onion odor of the breath and feces, elevated heart and
respiratory rates, pale mucous membranes, jaundice and brown colour urine
[4]
. More than one
toxic principle is involved in Onion-induced hemolytic anemia
[5]
. In the present case report a
case of onion poisoning in a old bullock was successfully treated and discussed.
2. History, Clinical examination and Diagnosis
A seven year old bullock from village Alegaon, Taluka Patur, district Akola, was presented to
the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex (TVCC), Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary and
Animal Sciences (PGIVAS), Akola with the complaint of passing black colour faeces, dark red
colour urine and anorexia since last 4-5 days. History and clinical examination revealed
accidental ingestion of large quantity of onions (Allium cepa), slight rise in rectal temperature
(100.2
0
F), tachycardia on auscultation, pale mucous membranes, passing of black colored
feces, dark red colour urine, anorexia, weakness, lethargy and staggering. The laboratory
examination revealed low Hb (4.8 gm/dl), PCV (20.8%) and TEC (3.92/ cumm) indicated
hypochromic anemia. The case was diagnosed as an onion poisoning on the basis of history,
clinical examination and laboratory findings.
3. Treatment and Result
In the present case, the bullock was fed excess quantity of onions, which resulted into onion
toxicosis. As the animal was severe anemic and need blood transfusion. However blood
transfusion could not be managed as suitable donor was not available due to COVID-19
pandemic lock down and inclusion of Akola in the red zone. The case was treated with
Parenteral administration of Vetplasma (Hydroxyethyl Starch, an Plasma Volume Expander),
at the dose rate of 1500 ml/day intravenously for three days, injection phosphorous (Sodium
Acid Phosphate) 10 ml daily for three days, iron dextran 10 ml IM single dose, vitamins B-
complex (Inj. Tribivet) 15 ml daily for 5 days, Dextrose 5% IV and haematinics preparation
orally for 15 days, metronidazole at the dose rate of 10 mg/kg body weight orally for five days.