A TREMORGENIC MYCOTOXICOSIS IN CATTLE CAUSED BY PASPALUM-DISTICHUM (L) INFECTED BY CLAVICEPS-PASPALI

This is the first reported outbreak of paspalum staggers in cattle fol lowing ingestion of Paspalum distichum (L) infected by Claviceps paspa li in South Africa. A day after starting to graze on an ergotised pasp alum field, 43 animals exhibited various degrees of generalised tremor s and ataxia. Four animals became paretic and went into sternal recumb ency. All affected animals recovered. The condition was reproduced by feeding ergotised grass to a calf. Signs of intoxication were observed 48 h after ingestion of c. 30 g/kg of the semi-dry plant material. Th e calf developed tremors and a slight ataxia, which became more pronou nced following light exercise.