Monensin toxicity in preruminant dairy heifers.
Four-to six-week-old calves from a seasonal dairy herd in North Western Tasmania were presented for veterinary attention due to the occurrence of sudden deaths. Necropsy examination of one of the calves revealed several small pale foci of 1 cm diameter on the epicardium. Mortalities were found to be caused by monensin that was added to the milk diet as part of a vitamin/mineral commercial premix that also controlled coccidiosis. No cases of monensin toxicity in preruminant calves have been previously documented, although there have been numerous reports in older cattle and other species.
Gabor
L J
LJ
Animal Health Laboratory, Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Prospect, Launceston, Tasmania 7250.
Downing
G M
GM
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000401:mortality; D003049:Coccidiostats / Q000506:poisoning*; D003612:Dairying / Q000379:methods; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008985:Monensin / Q000506:poisoning*; D012307:Risk Factors
D003049:Coccidiostats; D008985:Monensin