SUDDEN-DEATH IN CALVES DUE TO TAXUS INGESTION

Eight of 36 registered Angus carves died suddenly. They were either fo und dead without previous indications of illness, were discovered unab le to rise with severe cardiac arrhythmia leading to heart failure, or they collapsed and died following exercise. Necropsy revealed acute p assive congestion of the lungs and liver, flabby hearts, and the prese nce of Taxus cuspidata in the rumen. There were no significant microsc opic lesions. The dams of the nursing calves were unaffected.