DEATHS OF 23 ADULT COWS ATTRIBUTED TO INTOXICATION BY THE ALKALOIDS OF ZYGADENUS-VENENOSUS (MEADOW-DEATH-CAMAS)

Clinical investigation of the deaths of 23 adult beef cows reveals the deaths to be due to the ingestion of alkaloids contained with Zygaden us venenosus (meadow death camas). Zygadenus sp, have been known to ca use death in both sheep and cattle. This investigation reveals through evidence of grazing, clinical signs associated with alkaloid intoxica tion, and corresponding thin layer chromatography analysis that these cows died from ingestion due to Z. venenosus.