Case report
Ergot alkaloid poisoning in weaned beef calves
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol49no2p156-158Keywords:
cattle, ergot alkaloids, gangrenous necrosis, tail lesions, creep feed, beef cattle, calves, case reports, clinical aspects, diagnosis, losses, poisoning, summer, tail, weaningAbstract
Twelve of 100 beef calves in central South Dakota had loss of tail switches and tail tips in the summer of 2014. The problem was noticed in July. Many of the calves were being raised to be show calves. All 12 affected calves had tail lesions and 3 were suffering from early lameness. Chemical analysis demonstrating multiple ergopeptine alkaloids in the creep feed suggested ergotism caused by Claviceps spp., specifically C. purpurea. Rapid identification of the cause of unusual distal extremity lesions is important to reduce suffering of affected animals and financial losses to owners.