Heads up, Heliotrope poisoning.

This week, we’ve seen heliotrope poisoning in sheep grazing stubble. In this case the plant involved was common heliotrope (Heliotropium europaeum). Deaths in sheep commonly occur due to chronic ingestion over many years, although death can be sudden if the animals are placed under stress or introduced to a high protein or copper diet.

When heliotrope is eaten, the absorbed pyrrolizidine alkaloids form secondary compounds that remain in the liver producing ongoing damage. Liver damage also increases progressively with additional intakes of heliotrope.

The typical signs include chronic weight loss in older sheep, jaundiced gums, hard shrunken yellow livers and yellow fat. See pics above!

Heliotrope poisoning is not common but is usually seen when animals are grazing stubble and have no other option but to eat the weed.

Check your paddocks and shift stock if necessary.

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