phalaris/ataxia

Four adult mixed-breed beef cows from a cow-calf operation in West Virginia were referred to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in March 2009 with weakness, ataxia, hind limb paresis progressing to lateral recumbency, and death within 2-3 days. Histologically, there was

Neuropathological disorders and mortality occurred in cattle and sheep grazing P angusta. This native plant of South America is frequently found as a good quality component of natural pastures. Cattle and sheep feeding in pastures where P angusta was dominant started dying or showing signs 3 to 5 d

An outbreak of suspected Phalaris staggers in South Africa is described. Approximately 40 out of 600 sheep that had been grazing for 3 weeks on a wheat stubble land heavily infested with Phalaris grass, were affected. Clinical signs included nervous tremors, ataxia and convulsions. New cases

METHODS Seven eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) grazing pastures including Phalaris spp. in Victoria showed neurological deficits characterised by ataxia, head tremors and collapse. Gross examination of the brains and spinal cords of affected kangaroos showed a greenish discolouration in