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Male Here RR, McAloon C, Donlon J, McGee M, Duane M, Kenny D, Earley B. Summer scour syndrome in weaned dairy calves: case series. Ir Vet J 2024; 77:14. [PMID: 39014467 PMCID: PMC11251238 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-024-00273-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Summer scour syndrome (SSS) is a recently identified pathological condition affecting weaned dairy and dairy-beef calves during their first grazing season in Ireland. The syndrome is characterised by diarrhoea, weight loss, weakness, and can ultimately lead to death in some calves. Oral and oesophageal ulcerations are present in some cases. This study aimed to characterise a series of SSS cases in weaned dairy-bred calves on Irish commercial farms. RESULTS Five farms with calves having unexplained diarrhoea at grass were referred by private veterinary practitioners (PVP) following preliminary testing to exclude coccidiosis and parasitic gastroenteritis. Farms were visited within 2 to 5 days following PVP's referrals, or 2 days to 3 weeks relative to the onset of clinical signs. Farm management data, grass and concentrate samples, and biological samples from 46 calves (8 to 10 calves/farm) displaying clinical signs were collected. Two farms were subsequently found positive for coccidiosis and/or had chronic pneumonia problems after a thorough herd investigation and were designated as non-case farms (NCF). The remaining three farms were deemed typical SSS outbreaks (case farms; CF). Mean rumen fluid pH per farm ranged from 6.67 to 7.09 on CF, and 6.43-6.88 on NCF. Mean rumen fluid ammonia concentrations ranged from 17.6 to 29.6 mg/L and 17.2-45.0 mg/L on CF and NCF, respectively. Corresponding blood ammonia concentrations ranged from 129 to 223 µmol/L and 22-25 µmol/L. Mean blood copper and molybdenum concentrations were within normal range on all farms. Grass crude protein concentrations on the paddocks where the calves had grazed, and were currently grazing on the day of visit ranged from 137 to 148 g/kg DM and 106-177 g/kg DM, respectively on CF, and 160-200 g/kg DM and 151-186 g/kg DM, respectively on NCF. On CF, inorganic nitrogen fertiliser was applied 1 to 3 weeks pre-grazing, whereas on the two NCF, inorganic nitrogen fertiliser was applied 2 to 3 weeks pre-grazing on one farm and no fertiliser was applied on the other. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that copper or molybdenum toxicity, and ruminal acidosis are not the primary causes of SSS. High blood ammonia concentrations and the timing and level of inorganic nitrogen fertiliser application to paddocks pre-grazing, warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rischi Robinson Male Here
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, C15 PW93, Ireland
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Catherine McAloon
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John Donlon
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - Mark McGee
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - Mary Duane
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David Kenny
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - Bernadette Earley
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, C15 PW93, Ireland.
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Otter A, Schock A, Payne J. A form of hepatogenous copper poisoning in fattening cattle associated with the ingestion of mouldy straw. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Otter
- FRCVS Animal and Plant Health Agency Shrewsbury Shrewsbury UK
| | | | - Jo Payne
- MRCVS Animal and Plant Health Agency Sutton Bonington Loughborough UK
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Ruiz H, Lacasta D, Ramos JJ, Quintas H, Ruiz de Arcaute M, Ramo MÁ, Villanueva-Saz S, Ferrer LM. Anaemia in Ruminants Caused by Plant Consumption. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12182373. [PMID: 36139233 PMCID: PMC9495094 DOI: 10.3390/ani12182373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant toxicology has affected animals throughout evolution. Plants have adapted themselves to the environment. This adaptation has led to the development of defensive strategies to avoid being consumed. Plants have several chemical compounds, which can cause deleterious effects on people or animals that consume them, causing a wide variety of clinical signs. Plants from various latitudes, both cultivated for human and animal feeding or decorative purpose and even wild growth plants are able to generate anaemia in ruminants. Coumarins or ptaquiloside predispose bleeding and haemorrhages, causing a haemorrhagic disease in affected animals. In this group, some important fodder plants, such sweet clover (Genus Melilotus spp.), or other weeds distributed worldwide, such as bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) of giant fennel (Ferula communis), are included. On the other hand, sulfur-containing chemicals (e.g., n-propyl disulfate and S-propyl cysteine sulfoxides (SMCOs)) may cause severe direct damage to the erythrocyte and their membrane, leading to their destruction and causing haemolytic anaemia in the animal. This review presents the most frequent intoxication by plants causing anaemia in ruminants. Toxic compounds, clinical signs, diagnosis and possible treatments are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor Ruiz
- Animal Pathology Department, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza C/Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Delia Lacasta
- Animal Pathology Department, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza C/Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Juan José Ramos
- Animal Pathology Department, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza C/Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Hélder Quintas
- Mountain Research Centre (CIMO), School of Agriculture, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB), Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Marta Ruiz de Arcaute
- Animal Pathology Department, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza C/Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - María Ángeles Ramo
- Animal Pathology Department, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza C/Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sergio Villanueva-Saz
- Animal Pathology Department, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza C/Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Ferrer
- Animal Pathology Department, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza C/Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
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Asín J, Ramírez GA, Navarro MA, Nyaoke AC, Henderson EE, Mendonça FS, Molín J, Uzal FA. Nutritional Wasting Disorders in Sheep. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020501. [PMID: 33671862 PMCID: PMC7918192 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The different ovine production and breeding systems share the cornerstone of keeping a good body condition to ensure adequate productivity. Several infectious and parasitic disorders have detrimental effects on weight gains and may lead to emaciation. Flock health management procedures are aimed to prevent such conditions. Nutritional management is equally important to guarantee adequate body condition. Persistent bouts of low ruminal pH due to excess concentrate in the diet may lead to subacute ruminal acidosis. Pre-stomach motility disorders may also lead to ill-thrift and emaciation. An adequate mineral supplementation is key to prevent the effects of copper, selenium, and other micronutrients deprivation, which may include, among others, loss of condition. This review elaborates on the clinico-pathologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of some of these conditions, and highlights the necessity of considering them as contributors to states of wasting in sheep flocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Asín
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory (CAHFS), San Bernardino Branch, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (M.A.N.); (A.C.N.); (E.E.H.); (F.A.U.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-909-751-3314
| | - Gustavo A. Ramírez
- Animal Science Department, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (G.A.R.); (J.M.)
| | - Mauricio A. Navarro
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory (CAHFS), San Bernardino Branch, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (M.A.N.); (A.C.N.); (E.E.H.); (F.A.U.)
| | - Akinyi C. Nyaoke
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory (CAHFS), San Bernardino Branch, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (M.A.N.); (A.C.N.); (E.E.H.); (F.A.U.)
| | - Eileen E. Henderson
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory (CAHFS), San Bernardino Branch, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (M.A.N.); (A.C.N.); (E.E.H.); (F.A.U.)
| | - Fábio S. Mendonça
- Laboratory of Animal Diagnosis, DMFA/UFRPE, Recife, Pernambuco 52171-900, Brazil;
| | - Jéssica Molín
- Animal Science Department, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (G.A.R.); (J.M.)
| | - Francisco A. Uzal
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory (CAHFS), San Bernardino Branch, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (M.A.N.); (A.C.N.); (E.E.H.); (F.A.U.)
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Toxic Wasting Disorders in Sheep. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11010229. [PMID: 33477688 PMCID: PMC7831912 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary There are several substances, either inorganic or organic that may be toxic for sheep. Intoxications by some of these substances have an acute clinical course with specific signs and lesions that may guide the diagnostic procedures. However, there are other insidious, subacute to chronic presentations, usually related to continuous intake of the toxic substance over long periods of time, that may present with emaciation, ill-thrift, and/or poor external aspect. In such scenarios, diagnosis may be challenging and should be achieved through a combination of history of exposure, subtle gross and histological findings (if present), and available ancillary tests. Abstract Infectious and parasitic agents have been frequently associated with debilitating and wasting conditions in sheep. The prevalence of these agents has probably undermined the role of toxic causes as contributors to such disorders. In addition, many of these intoxications frequently produce acute clinical disease with specific and characteristic lesions, thus a causal relationship with the toxic substance may be relatively easy to establish. However, persistent exposure to some of these organic or inorganic toxic substances may lead to emaciation, ill-thrift, and poor external aspect. The anti-nutritional factors and alkaloids of several plants, including pyrrolizidine alkaloids, among others, have also been associated with emaciation and/or poor general performance in sheep flocks. In this review, some of these disorders are discussed with an emphasis on clinical signs and lesions, relevant diagnostic aspects, and available therapeutic approaches. In most cases, demonstrating a history of exposure should be one of the most relevant aspects of the diagnostic approach, and removing the animals from the toxic source is the cornerstone of the majority of the treatment strategies.
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