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Ionophore use and toxicosis in cattle
1Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Utah State University, Logan, USA. jhall@cc.usu.edu
The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Food Animal Practice
|November 21, 2000
Summary
Ionophore antibiotics, used as coccidiostats and growth promotants, can cause poisoning in animals due to damage to excitable tissues. Feed mixing errors are a common cause, necessitating feed removal and testing for excessive exposure.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Toxicology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Ionophores are a growing class of antibiotics from Actinomycetales bacteria.
- Their use as coccidiostats and growth promotants can lead to animal toxicoses.
- Poisoning affects excitable tissues like cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle, as well as the nervous system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the clinical and pathological effects of ionophore poisoning.
- To highlight the link between feed mixing errors and ionophore toxicoses.
- To provide guidance for practitioners on managing ionophore-related poisoning incidents.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical and pathological findings in ionophore toxicosis.
- Analysis of the bioactivity of ionophores on excitable tissues.
- Identification of common causes and diagnostic approaches for ionophore poisoning.
Main Results:
- Ionophore poisoning causes damage to cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle, and the nervous system.
- Errors in feed mixing are frequently implicated in ionophore toxicoses.
- Clinical signs are related to the disruption of ion transport across cell membranes.
Conclusions:
- Ionophore antibiotics pose a significant toxicological risk in veterinary medicine.
- Accurate feed formulation and testing are crucial to prevent ionophore poisoning.
- Prompt removal of contaminated feed and diagnostic testing are essential for managing affected animals.
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