Varagu (Paspalum scrobiculatum) Toxicity in Elephants

• Varagu (Paspalum scrobiculatum) toxicosis.
• Varagu (Paspalum scrobiculatum) poisoning.
• Kodo millet poisoning.
• Kodra millet poisoning.

See also:

• Cardiac Glycoside Toxicity in Elephants
• Rabies (with special reference to Waterfowl, Hedgehogs and Elephants)
• Tetanus (with special reference to Elephants)
• Tutu (Coriaria arborea) Toxicity in Elephants

• Varagu (Paspalum scrobiculatum). (J12.11.w1, J178.37.w2)
  • "Ripe 'Varagu' occasionally gets into a poisonous condition." (J178.37.w2)

• Varagu (Paspalum scrobiculatum)

Clinical signs

• A wild adult female seen prior to death was in extremis, beating her trunk, limbs and tail on the ground and passing large amounts of urine, in which she was then lying. No faeces had been passed. (J12.11.w1)

Morbidity/ Mortality

• Thirteen of a herd of 15 elephants died in the Cumbam Valley (India), where varagu crop was cultivated intensively. The other two individuals escaped into the forest. (J12.11.w1)
• Fourteen elephants died in the Vannathiparai Forest Reserve (India) from Kodo millet (varagu) poisoning. (J178.37.w2)

Gross pathology: 

• External examination: The carcass was bloated, the vagina and rectum oedematous. (J12.11.w1)
• Thorax: contained serous fluid (about one gallon).
• Respiratory: Lungs were congested. (J12.11.w1)
• Cardiac: Pericardium was inflamed and dark. The pericardial sac also contained fluid. (J12.11.w1)
• Abdominal cavity: Peritoneum highly inflamed, three or four gallons of brownish fluid present in the abdominal cavity.
• Gastro-intestinal: 
  • Stomach: mucosa was highly inflamed; a large quantity of varagu (Paspalum scrobiculatum) was present together with other undigested food. (J12.11.w1)
  • Small intestines: contents "blood streaked and contained shreds of mucous membrane". (J12.11.w1)
  • Large intestines: "packed with dung balls" but with an empty rectum. (J12.11.w1)
• Hepatic: Liver was friable and very congested. (J12.11.w1)
• Renal: Kidneys were congested and enlarged; bladder empty. (J12.11.w1)
• Brain: Congested. (J12.11.w1)

• History & Documentation
• Physical Examination of Mammals
• Necropsy of Mammals
• Treatment and Care - General
• Environmental Assessment
• Chapter 2 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen Collection and Preservation
• Chapter 3 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen shipment
• Appendix A - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Sample specimen history form

• Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant

(List does not contain all other species groups affected by this disease)