Pea mania: deranged behaviour in cattle grazing a pea crop (Pisum sativum var arvense).
Hypersensitivity to external stimuli, progressing in some animals to manic behaviour, occurred in a cattle herd that grazed a crop of field peas (Pisum sativum var arvense) in the pre-flowering stage. Haematological and biochemical analyses eliminated hypomagnesaemia and ketosis as diagnoses. Other than two steers euthanased due to injuries sustained during manic episodes, all affected animals survived, recovering over 3 days when moved to alternative pasture. No necropsies were conducted. No microbial pathogens or endophytes were found on or in the plants. A previously reported incident in Victoria in 1987 in cattle grazing peas appeared to be of a similar nature. Environmental factors leading to these incidents were not clearly identified.
Reardon
C J
CJ
Warwick Veterinary Clinic, 65 Grafton Street, Warwick, Queensland 4370. wvc@flexi.net.au
McKenzie
R A
RA
D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005969:Glutamate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D018532:Pisum sativum / Q000506:poisoning*; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011793:Queensland; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D005969:Glutamate Dehydrogenase; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D003402:Creatine Kinase