BOVINE POISONING BY MERCURIALIS-ANNUA - C LINICAL CASE

Eighteen cows were feeded with mercurialis annua mixed with hay. The q uantities ingested were high (15-20 kg per cow). Clinical signs were o bserved 24 hours after ingestion: mortality of two dairy cows, fall in milk production affecting all the herd, anemia, hemoglobinuria and di arrhea were observed in 50% of the herd. Treatment consisted on avoidi ng ingestion of this grass, administration of diuretic, strengthening and hematogenous drugs. Evolution was favourable: mortality was stoppe d, however, convalescence was slow and milk production returned comple tely to normal after two months only.