ASSOCIATION OF EXCESS SULFUR INTAKE AND AN INCREASE IN HYDROGEN-SULFIDE CONCENTRATIONS IN THE RUMINAL GAS CAP OF RECENTLY WEANED BEEF-CALVES WITH POLIOENCEPHALOMALACIA
Gh. Loneragan et al., ASSOCIATION OF EXCESS SULFUR INTAKE AND AN INCREASE IN HYDROGEN-SULFIDE CONCENTRATIONS IN THE RUMINAL GAS CAP OF RECENTLY WEANED BEEF-CALVES WITH POLIOENCEPHALOMALACIA, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 213(11), 1998, pp. 1599
Polioencephalomalacia (PEM) is an important neurologic disease of rumi
nants. Pathologic concentrations of ruminal hydrogen sulfide appear to
be a central component in the pathogenesis of sulfur-associated PEM.
High concentrations of hydrogen sulfide in the ruminal gas cap provide
evidence for excessive sulfur intake. Thiamine deficiency, lead toxic
osis, and salt toxicity/water deprivation should be ruled out as poten
tial causes of PEM. All feedstuffs and water should be analyzed to det
ermine sources of excessive sulfur.