Annual ryegrass toxicity in Thoroughbred horses in Ceres in the Western Cape Province, South Africa
Grewar, J.D.; Allen, J.G.; Guthrie, A.J.
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 80(4): 220-223
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 1019-9128 PMID: 20458861 Document Number: 637756
An outbreak of annual ryegrass toxicity occurred on a Thoroughbred stud in Ceres in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. This is the 1st report of annual ryegrass toxicity in horses in South Africa, although the condition has been reported in cattle and sheep populations in the past. Annual ryegrass toxicity is characterised by a variety of neurological signs including tremors, convulsions, recumbency and in many cases death. The description of the outbreak includes the history, clinical presentation and treatment protocol administered during the outbreak. Various epidemiological variables and their influence in the outbreak are also considered.