First case report of toxicity with Lactuca virosa in a lamb

Consumption of Lactuca virosa can induce toxic outcomes. Wild lettuce occurs in many countries including Iran, and some native peoples eat leaves and stems of this plant while they are unaware of its adverse side effects. Livestock feeding with this plant causes toxicity. In this report, clinical signs and clinicopathological findings of this rare case of poisoning due to wild lettuce toxicity in a lamb were described.  

In the autumn of 2019, a lamb was referred to the veterinary teaching hospital of the School of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Iran. According to the owner's description, this female lamb consumed large amounts of Lactuca virosa. In clinical examination, nervous system alteration with depression, weakness, ataxia, dullness, somnolence, drooping of the ears, and eyelids were seen. The animal had anorexia and tachycardia. The main clinical findings in the eyes were nystagmus, mydriasis, and the absence of menace reflex with the presence of direct pupillary light reflex that indicated central blindness. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Lactuca virosa-induced poisoning in lamb.  

Lactuca virosa could induce toxicity in lamb that leads to mainly CNS dysfunctions. According to this experience, access restriction to toxic plant and conservative treatment including the laxative and vitamin B1 administration could be useful as the basis of treatment.