Moldy sweetclover poisoning in cattle.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Toxicology
• Animal Science

Background:

• Moldy sweetclover poisoning is a significant concern in cattle health.
• The condition is caused by dicoumarol, a toxic compound found in spoiled sweetclover.
• Clinical signs often involve hemorrhages and prolonged clotting times.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review clinical and laboratory findings associated with moldy sweetclover poisoning in cattle.
• To discuss diagnostic methods and effective treatment strategies.
• To provide guidance on managing and preventing the disease.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical case data and laboratory diagnostic tests.
• Analysis of prothrombin time, bleeding time, and whole blood clotting time.
• Evaluation of treatment efficacy, including blood transfusions and vitamin K supplementation.
• Assessment of feed management strategies for disease prevention.

Main Results:

• Prothrombin time is the preferred diagnostic test for suspected poisoning.
• Dicoumarol detection in feed can be unreliable due to sampling or assay issues.
• Whole blood transfusions are the most effective treatment.
• Vitamin K1 is effective but costly; Vitamin K3 is less effective but widely used.
• Feed withdrawal or dilution protocols can reduce disease incidence.

Conclusions:

• Prompt diagnosis using prothrombin time is crucial for managing moldy sweetclover poisoning.
• Effective treatment involves whole blood transfusions and appropriate vitamin K administration.
• Strategic feed management and avoiding feeding suspect feed before critical events like surgery or parturition are essential for prevention.