SUMMARY In experimentally studies fourteen crossbred horses with ages between 4 to 22-year-old and weighing from 230 to 475kg were fed the dried aereal parts of Senecio brasiliensis during its sprouting period. The plant was administered to the horses either mixed with the ration or grounded, admixed with water and force fed through a nasaesophagic sound. Blood samples were collected periodically in fourteen horses to evaluate serum biochemical parameters. Eight horses died due to the intoxication whereas three horses died of unrelated diseases. Three horses survived without any clinical signs during the experiment. The clinical disease induced by the plant in the eight intoxicated horses had a neurological disturbance. Total bilirubin and unconjugated bilirubin were increased in the terminal stages. Albumin and protein decreased levels of the one horse that developed chronic form of the disease. It was concluded the variation of serum levels of the unconjugated bilirubin gave a better picture from liver alteration in horses intoxicated by Senecio brasiliensis poisoning.
bilirubin; albumin; protein; poisoning; horses; Senecio
