Yellow buckeye (Aesculus octandra Marsh) toxicity in calves

Abstract

In the autumn, 1981, at least 33 cattle aged 3 months to 9 years were treated for suspected poisoning by nuts from yellow buckeye trees. Clinical signs included hyperaesthesia, myoclonus, recumbency, tonoclonic spasms and, occasionally, death. Three animals examined PM had whole or masticated nuts in the forestomachs. Gross lesions were limited to the kidney-congestion and streaking of the renal cortex. Histological lesions included moderate hepatic congestion, thickening of glomerular tufts, and presence of a proteinaceous material in the distal renal tubules and collecting ducts. Two calves dosed with 1% or 0.5% of their body weight with the nuts developed clinical signs similar to those of field cases and also strabismus with severer symptoms in the calf given the higher dose.