The Toxins:
Creeping Indigo contains two toxins:
3-nitropropionate (3-NPA) - A highly toxic compound, produced by the plant primarily as defense against destruction by herbivores. The toxin is a potent and irreversible inhibitor of mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase, a key enzyme in transforming glucose and oxygen into useable energy. Nerve cells are extremely vulnerable to energy deprivation, thus accounting for the early and prominent neurologic signs seen with all types of 3-NPA toxicity. Because it is metabolized quickly, it is unlikely to be found in the serum of affected animals.(This toxin causes the neurological symptoms cause by Creeping Indigo- see: SYMPTOMS OF CI section of the site for more info)
Indospicine - A non-protein amino acid. It is toxic to the liver because of antagonism to the essential amino acid arginine, with which it competes. It is a CUMULATIVE toxin meaning: it builds in their system over a LIFETIME and persists, even after, removal from the weed. One of its principal toxic actions is inhibition of nitric oxide synthase, an action likely associated with the development of corneal edema and ulceration of mucous membranes. Although horses are relatively resistant to the liver damaging effects of this toxin, it persists in the tissues of horses dying or killed with the disease and these tissues are potentially toxic. Indospicine CAN BE detected in the serum of affected animals however, that test is not currently included in U.S. toxicology panels.(This toxin causes the NON_neurological symptoms of Creeping Indigo- see: SYMPTOMS OF CI section of the site for more info)
THE CONSUMPTION RATE FOR CREEPING INDIGO IS NOT YET KNOWN.
UF's Creeping Indigo Article is commonly MISINTERPRETED and thus, believed to provide a consumption rate for Creeping Indigo ("indigo spicata").
However, if you read closely, you will see that they refer to Creeping Indigo's LESS TOXIC cousin, out of Australia, Birdsville Indigo ("indigo linneae"). Unfortunately, since studies have not yet concluded for Creeping Indigo, this is all there is to provide as a guideline at this time.
It can be fatally misleading, considering what we DO KNOW about Creeping Indigo, thus far.
Creeping Indigo contains higher amounts of both toxins: 3NPA & Indospicine than Birdsville Indigo. We also know that Indospicine is CUMULATIVE. Meaning, it builds in an animal’s system, like a metal, over a LIFETIME until it reaches symptoms expression levels. Field studies and cases also show that the effects of Creeping Indigo for each individual horse/animal vary depending on the weight, breed, age, protein intake, pre-existing health condition and other factors. So, what may be safe for one animal, can be deadly for another as far as consumption rates go. In almost all cases involving more than one animal exposed to the same Creeping Indigo present pastures, the animals varied in severity of illness. From: some, showing merely watery eyes and sensitivity to light. While, others expressed severe symptoms like: incoordination, seizures and death.
Therefore, minimizing exposure is the only guarantee of your animal's safety.
3-nitropropionate (3-NPA) - A highly toxic compound, produced by the plant primarily as defense against destruction by herbivores. The toxin is a potent and irreversible inhibitor of mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase, a key enzyme in transforming glucose and oxygen into useable energy. Nerve cells are extremely vulnerable to energy deprivation, thus accounting for the early and prominent neurologic signs seen with all types of 3-NPA toxicity. Because it is metabolized quickly, it is unlikely to be found in the serum of affected animals.(This toxin causes the neurological symptoms cause by Creeping Indigo- see: SYMPTOMS OF CI section of the site for more info)
Indospicine - A non-protein amino acid. It is toxic to the liver because of antagonism to the essential amino acid arginine, with which it competes. It is a CUMULATIVE toxin meaning: it builds in their system over a LIFETIME and persists, even after, removal from the weed. One of its principal toxic actions is inhibition of nitric oxide synthase, an action likely associated with the development of corneal edema and ulceration of mucous membranes. Although horses are relatively resistant to the liver damaging effects of this toxin, it persists in the tissues of horses dying or killed with the disease and these tissues are potentially toxic. Indospicine CAN BE detected in the serum of affected animals however, that test is not currently included in U.S. toxicology panels.(This toxin causes the NON_neurological symptoms of Creeping Indigo- see: SYMPTOMS OF CI section of the site for more info)
THE CONSUMPTION RATE FOR CREEPING INDIGO IS NOT YET KNOWN.
UF's Creeping Indigo Article is commonly MISINTERPRETED and thus, believed to provide a consumption rate for Creeping Indigo ("indigo spicata").
However, if you read closely, you will see that they refer to Creeping Indigo's LESS TOXIC cousin, out of Australia, Birdsville Indigo ("indigo linneae"). Unfortunately, since studies have not yet concluded for Creeping Indigo, this is all there is to provide as a guideline at this time.
It can be fatally misleading, considering what we DO KNOW about Creeping Indigo, thus far.
Creeping Indigo contains higher amounts of both toxins: 3NPA & Indospicine than Birdsville Indigo. We also know that Indospicine is CUMULATIVE. Meaning, it builds in an animal’s system, like a metal, over a LIFETIME until it reaches symptoms expression levels. Field studies and cases also show that the effects of Creeping Indigo for each individual horse/animal vary depending on the weight, breed, age, protein intake, pre-existing health condition and other factors. So, what may be safe for one animal, can be deadly for another as far as consumption rates go. In almost all cases involving more than one animal exposed to the same Creeping Indigo present pastures, the animals varied in severity of illness. From: some, showing merely watery eyes and sensitivity to light. While, others expressed severe symptoms like: incoordination, seizures and death.
Therefore, minimizing exposure is the only guarantee of your animal's safety.
CREEPING INDIGO TOXICITY EXPLAINED: |
Symptoms of CI are not instantaneous like alcohol. In CI's case- the neurological symptoms actually stem from the break down of their bodies over the course of time; not from the toxins themselves. Once you see the symptoms, the damage is done and there is no way of "flushing" or "detoxing" those damages. Detoxes absorb or carry out toxins in the system that have been RECENTLY ingested. In all actuality, Detoxes are potentially dangerous and at the very least ineffective. When you add more foreign substance to the body, you are asking the liver to work hard to get rid of it and a CI liver is in a very weak state.
This is because the Alkaloids in CI render the liver unable to process phylloerythrin. In the large intestine, chlorophyll is broken down by bacteria into a derivative and photodynamic compound known as phylloerythrin. Normally, this is then absorbed in the gut and the liver extracts it into the bile. But, when the liver is unable to process phylloerythrin due to damage such as CI- this process cannot happen. This opens the door for the Alkaloids to overflow and begin to reach and damage tissues and organs. Chlorophyll is found in green vegetation- the richer, like alfalfa and creeping indigo, the more chlorophyll present.
This is the point when the symptoms begin to show up.
This is why removing chlorophyll from the diet of Creeping Indigo weakened horses helps in recovery.
If you wish to understand how the decision to experiment with this diet balance was reached; the following article explains the affects of chlorophyll rich vegetation on the liver. (this illness is called "Photosensitivity")
This is also why we do NOT suggest you DETOX a CI poisoned animal.
For liver and organ damage- the organs need to instead be supported in order to rebuild/regenerate and begin to recover themselves hence, why the protein regimen helps. A detox actually gives an already overwhelmed and hindered liver another job to do and can cause deadly set backs.
Not to say that things like detoxes, arginine-rich protein sources won't help to DEFEND against CI by being in their systems PRIOR to CI consumption and organ damage. We do suggest a healthy protein regimen for preventative measure though, nothing can guarantee that they can be protected from larger quantities of CI being consumed.
Horses steadily declined even after removal from the CI source for weeks but, showed improvement within 3 days of the change in nutrition and diet. This is because the CI toxin Indospicine is cumulative. It attaches to their tissues and organs and continues to break them down. Studies confirm that animals carry Indospicine in their blood and tissues several weeks after cessation of CI ingestion.
