RYE-GRASS INTOXICATION IN HORSES

Case study. To elaborate the diagnosis of rye-grass intoxication in a stallion demonstrating a neurotoxic syndrome characterized by ataxia a nd incoordination, a number of diagnostic tests were performed. Result s of both, blood chemistry and haematology gave no indication for orga n-specific or systemic lesions. Chemical analysis of the hay fed to th e horse revealed the presence of the mycotoxin lolitrem B in concentra tions consistent with those described in sheep and cattle with similar symptoms. Thus, it was concluded that the animals demonstrated the ry e-grass-stagger(RGS)-syndrome.