NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Locoweed (also crazyweed or loco) are common North American plants that produce phytotoxins, nitro toxins, and selenium accumulation that are harmful to livestock. Typical symptoms of locoism occur from poisoning by the alkaloid, swainsonine.

Detailed explanation-2: -The toxic component in locoweeds has been identified as swainsonine, an indolizidine alkaloid.

Detailed explanation-3: -It also causes “anxiety, agitation, delirium, disorientation, which can in fact lead to an individual becoming paranoid, having psychosis.” “All of these types of side effects can also affect the heart, the skin. Patients may have a fever, appear flushed, have a rapid heart rate, ” he said.

Detailed explanation-4: -Clinical symptoms of horses in the early stages of locoism include severe depression and lethargy where the horse acts sleepy or stands very still. Once the threshold dosage of toxin is ingested, more pronounced symptoms may appear. These include: Weight loss.

Detailed explanation-5: -There is no effective treatment for locoweed poisoning. Animals should be moved from locoweed pastures. Recovery depends on the duration and severity of the lesions. Locoed horses should be considered permanently affected.