title: Chronic phalaris toxicity in eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus).
abstract: METHODS
  Seven eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) grazing pastures including Phalaris spp. in Victoria showed neurological deficits characterised by ataxia, head tremors and collapse. Gross examination of the brains and spinal cords of affected kangaroos showed a greenish discolouration in several regions of the grey matter. Histologically, intracytoplasmic accumulation of pigment granules was detected in the neurons, most prominently in the thalamus, brainstem and ventral horns of the spinal cord. Pigment granules were positive to stains used for identification of melanin, including Fontana-Masson stain and Schmorl's reaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of clinical signs and obvious neuronal pigmentation is consistent with chronic Phalaris spp. toxicity, a condition well documented in domestic ruminants.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria, 3030, Australia. bbacci@unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bacci
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Whiteley
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barrow
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dalziel
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: El-Hage
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001344:Autopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D037901:Euthanasia, Animal; D007614:Macropodidae; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D031783:Phalaris / Q000506:poisoning*; D014739:Victoria
keywords: canary grass; kangaroos; phalaris poisoning; toxicity