Year 2019 - Volume 39, Number 1


Title
Cyanogenic poisoning by spontaneous ingestion of star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis var. nlemfuensis cv. ‘Florico’) in cattle, 39(1):20-24
Authors

Abstract
ABSTRACT.- Molossi F.A., Ogliari D., Morais R.M., Wicpolt N.S., Gheller E., Weber L. & Gava A. 2019. Cyanogenic poisoning by spontaneous ingestion of star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis var. nlemfuensis cv. ‘Florico’) in cattle. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 39(1):20-24. Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Av. Luiz de Camões 2090, Lages, SC 88520-000, Brazil. E-mail: aldo.gava@udesc.br

This study reports the epidemiological data and the clinical-pathological condition of five outbreaks of cyanogenic poisoning in cattle spontaneously ingesting star grass (Cynodon  nlemfuensis Vanderyst var. nlemfuensis cv. ‘Florico’). In all outbreaks, the areas where the plant was previously fertilized with high concentrations of nitrogen and the properties adopted the silvipastoral system. The first clinical signs appeared between 10 and 15 minutes after the first introduction of cattle and were characterized by muscular tremors, dyspnea, moderate tympanism, staggering gait, forced breathing with open mouth, sternal recumbency followed by death after 15 to 30 minutes and/or recovery in a few hours after the signs started. In total, 43 cows have become ill and 18 died. Two necropsies were performed and no significant changes were found except for the presence of the plant near the esophageal sphincter region. No histological lesions were seen through microscopy. Green leaves of the star grass were collected from all properties where the outbreaks occurred and the test of the picro-sodium paper was performed, revealing red-brick coloration in 20 minutes after maceration of the leaves.
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