[Biochemical, electrocardiographic and pathomorphological studies the monensin poisoning of sheep]

Studies were carried out on the changes in the electrocardiogram, the content of sodium and potassium in the plasma and erythrocytes, and the morphology of the viscera of sheep spontaneously intoxicated with monensin. It was found that in the initial phases of poisoning the plasma level of Na and K strongly rose--410 +/- 12.57 mg% and 36.28 +/- 1.99 mg%, respectively, while after the tenth day it showed a trend of coming back to normal. The electrocardiogram of the poisoned sheep was inevitably deprived of the P deflection, while the QRST complex showed deformations characteristic of ischemia and degeneration of the myocardium. Morphologically, there were catarrhal abomasoenteritis, edomatized and fragile kidneys and liver, enlarged mucous membrane of the gallbladder, showing hyperemia and nodules, hemorrhages in the heart, and hyperemia and edema of the lungs. Histologically, there were dystrophic and necrotic nephrosis and focal glomerulonephritis, granular and fatty dystrophy and necroses of the liver, cholecystitis, granular and hyaline dystrophy of the myocardium, hyperemia, hemorrhages, and edema of the lungs as well as degenerative changes in the ganglion cells of the brain. The cadavers of animals that were ill for seven to ten days and died had multiple hemosiderosis in the kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart.