SWEET CLOVER POISONING IN DAIRY-CATTLE IN CALIFORNIA

Eight of 600 Holstein heifers and cows died after ingestion of sweet c lover silage (Melilotus sp) that contained excessive concentrations of dicumarol caused by mold infestation. The cattle developed subcutaneo us hemorrhages and bled from the vagina, became weak, were unable to m ove, and died. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of sweet clover poisoning in cattle from California and is discussed i n light of previous findings in the Midwest and Canada. Sweet clover p oisoning is caused by dicumarol, a fungal metabolite produced from sub strates in sweet clover, and is a common livestock problem in the Nort hern Plains and Canada. Sweet clover poisoning should be considered in livestock animals with clinical evidence of hemostatic dysfunction, p rolonged coagulation times, subcutaneous hemorrhages, and hemorrhagic abortions. Definite diagnosis of moldy su eet clover poisoning can be accomplished by analysis of serum and feed samples for dicumarol conce ntrations.