Phalaris arundinacea as a cause of deaths and incoordination in sheep

Abstract

Extract

Phalaris tuberosa, a common pasture plant, may on occasions cause inco-ordination (staggers) and/or death in sheep and cattle (McDonald, 1942; Le Soeuf, 1948; Lee and Kuchel, 1953; Milne, 1955; Watson, 1956; Moore et al, 1961; Gallagher et al, 1964). Acutetoxicity may be manifested by sudden death(Moore et al, 1961; Gallagher et al, 1964; Gallagher et al, 1967), due to arhythmic tachycardias and ventricular fibrillations with cardiac failure (Gallagher etal, 1964).