Sudden death in two-year-old cows
- Cases of sudden death were investigated in two-year-old cows in the Great Southern.
- Five cows died over a two-day period from a herd of 280 animals.
- All cows in the herd were branded, drenched and received micro-mineral supplementation one week prior to deaths.
- Two cows were necropsied. Gross pathology was unremarkable and a full sample set was submitted to assist diagnosis.
- Histopathology revealed multiple foci of myocardial necrosis, liver lipidosis and moderate diffuse, acute pulmonary oedema suggestive of cardiac glycoside or fluroacetate toxicity.
- Serum biochemistry showed calcium, magnesium and phosphorus within normal ranges as were other liver and kidney values. There was some indication of an inflammatory reaction with raised haptoglobin levels.