SUCCESSFUL CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE DIARRHEA DUE TO ABRUS PRECATORIUS SEED IN A CROSS-BRED MURRAH BUFFALOE

Abstract

Recent incidents have highlighted the poisoning of buffalo due to the ingestion of Abrus precatorius seeds, commonly known as rosary peas or jequirity peas. A three-year-old Murrah buffalo was presented to the Large Animal Medicine unit of the Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal with a history of accidentally ingesting abrus seeds during grazing. After consumption, the animal had diarrhoea with severe abdominal pain. The animal was treated with fluid therapy, antibiotics and supportive therapy. The seeds of Abrus precatorius are particularly dangerous due to their hard coating, which protects the toxin inside. This communication aims to raise awareness among farmers and veterinarians regarding the symptoms and treatment of abrin poisoning in buffaloes.