Salinomycin toxicity in pigs
Kavanagh, N.T.; Sparrow, D.S.
Veterinary Record 127(20): 507
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 2275094 Document Number: 361362
In a herd of approximately 400 finishing pigs weighing between 25 and 85 kg body weight on ad libitum dry feeding, salinomycin was inadvertently included at 166 mg/kg of feed (approximately 8 mg/kg bodyweight). Five days after the introduction of the contaminated feed clinical signs reported initially as a respiratory condition with anorexia and deaths were seen in the pigs. Pigs were lethargic but alert and when raised, trembled and swayed for 30 seconds to one minute before going into sternal recumbency with irregular breathing. Drinking behaviour was also abnormal with affected pigs going to the drinker but messing about and drinking little before laying down again. Feed intake was 40% to 50% of normal. Blood stained urine was also seen. Thirty-nine pigs (9.6%) died but initially 30 pigs were treated with tiamulin an may have been affected by tiamulin/salinomycin incompatability. Histopathology revealed a severe degenerative myopathy affecting skeletal and cardiac muscles. Very high creatinine kinase levels were found in serum. Approximately 21 days after removal of the contaminated feed, behaviour and feed intake returned to normal. Individual pigs still died following the stress of movement and mixing.