Lasalocid toxicity in cattle: acute clinicopathological changes

Thirty-six steers (148 to 500 kg) divided into six equal groups were used in a toxic syndrome study of lasalocid and monensin given as a single oral dose. One group was given a placebo, a second group received monensin (25 mg/kg body weight) and the other four groups received lasalocid at 1, 10, 50 or 100 mg/kg body weight (bw). No toxic signs developed in cattle given placebo or lasalocid at 1 or 10 mg/kg bw dose. The earliest toxic signs were muscle tremors, tachycardia and rumen atony. After 24 h, the cattle were dehydrated, anorectic and had diarrhea. Deaths occurred between d 1 and 22.5 in the groups receiving lasalocid at 50 and 100 mg/kg bw and monensin. Altered values in blood leucocytes, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea nitrogen, total bilirubin, creatine kinase, lactic dehydrogenase, calcium, chloride and inorganic phosphate occurred 1 d after dosing: urine pH and specific gravity also changed 1 d after dosing. Maximum changes occurred at d 3. Most of the changes were indicative of dehydration rather than specific organ damage.