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This study evaluated the effect of feeding pelleted or mash ergot contaminated grain fed continuously or intermittently on the growth performance, blood serum variables, and carcass quality of finishing beef steers. Sixty black angus steers (442 ± 36.7 kg) were used in a complete randomized finishing (90% concentrate:10% barley silage DM basis) 126-d study. Steers were randomly assigned to 4 different treatments and individually housed. Treatments included: 1) control ration [CON; no added ergot alkaloids (EA)], 2) continuous ergot mash (CEM; fed continuously at 2 ppm total EA), 3) intermittent ergot mash (IEM; fed at 2 ppm EA during the first week of each 21-d period and control diet for the remaining 2 weeks), and 4) intermittent ergot pellet (IEP; fed at 2 ppm EA incorporated into a pelleted supplement during the first week of each 21-d period and control diet for the other 2 weeks). Steers were weighed every 21 d and blood samples were collected on day 0, 42, 84, and 126. Steer DMI (P < 0.01, 9.95 vs. 11.05 kg/day) and ADG (P = 0.04) decreased for all EA treatments compared with the CON. Total shrunk BW gain (P = 0.03, 202.5 vs. 225.2 kg), final BW (P = 0.03, 617.9 vs. 662.2 kg), and carcass weight (P = 0.06) decreased for all EA steers compared with the CON steers. No treatment effects (P > 0.05) were observed for carcass dressing percentage, ribeye area, marbling score, or liver abscess. The percent of carcasses graded AAA decreased for all EA steers compared CON steers (P < 0.01, 46.7 vs. 93.3%). Steers fed EA had increased rectal temperature compared with CON steers (P < 0.01, 39.8 vs. 39.4 °C). Hair cortisol concentrations were less in steers fed IEP (P = 0.05, 1.23 vs. 1.76 pg/mg) than CON. No treatment effects (P > 0.05) were observed for complete blood count, and serum prolactin, haptoglobin, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, amylase, calcium, creatine, glucose, lipase, total bilirubin, total protein, or globulin. Blood urea nitrogen was less for EA steers compared with CON (P = 0.01, 3.48 vs. 4.10 mmol/L). The IEM steers had decreased concentrations of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase compared with IEP steers (P = 0.04, 23.4 vs. 28.5 IU). Pelleting ergot contaminated grain did not reduce the impact of ergot alkaloids on any of the measured parameters. Results suggest that continuously or intermittently feeding an ergot contaminated diet (2 ppm EA) can significantly reduce intake, growth performance, and carcass weight, with minimal impact on blood serum variables in finishing steers. Pelleting was not an effective method of reducing ergot toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effects of feeding ergot alkaloids (EA) at increasing levels (0, 0.75, 1.5, and 3.0 ppm) to feedlot beef cattle over backgrounding (BG) and finishing (FS) phases on growth performance and carcass quality. Steers (n=240; 280±32 kg) were blocked by weight and randomly allocated to 16 pens (4 pens/treatment; 15 steers/pen). Treatments included: no added EA (CTL); or EA added at 0.75 (EA075); 1.50 (EA150); and 3.0 ppm (EA300). Steers were fed barley-based BG diets containing 40% concentrate: 60% silage (DM basis) for 84 d, then stepped up over 28 d to a 90% concentrate:10% silage (DM basis) FS diet for 119 d. Steers fed EA300 received CTL in FS after 77 days on feed (DOF). In the BG phase, a quadratic decrease (P=0.05) in ADG and a linear decrease in final BW (P=0.03) and total BW gain (P=0.02) were observed with increasing EA. In the FS phase, up to 77 DOF, there was a linear decrease in steers DMI (P=0.04), ADG (P=0.01), and total BW gain (P=0.01) with increasing levels of EA. Over the full FS phase (119 DOF), a quadratic response was observed for ADG (P=0.05), final BW (P=0.05), total BW gain (P=0.02) and carcass weight (P=0.05) with steers fed EA150 showing the lowest performance. Gain:feed was not affected (P>0.20) by EA in the BG or FS phase. Dressing percentage (P=0.02) showed a quadratic effect with EA300 being the lowest. Additionally, a linear increase in lean meat yield (P< 0.001) was observed with increasing EA. Including EA in the diet promoted a linear increase in rectal temperature (P< 0.01). In conclusion, increasing levels of EA in the diet reduced growth performance, but when EA was removed, steers showed compensatory weight gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding pelleted or mash ergot contaminated grain continuously or intermittently on performance and blood parameters of backgrounding steers. Sixty black angus steers (300 ± 29.4 kg) were used in a complete randomized backgrounding (60% barley silage:40% concentrate DM basis) 84 d study. Steers were randomly assigned to 4 different treatments and housed individually. Treatments included: 1) control ration (CON; no added ergot), 2) continuous ergot mash (CEM; fed continuously at 2 ppm), 3) intermittent ergot mash (IEM; fed at 2 ppm on the first wk of each 21 d period and control diet for the remaining 2 wk), and 4) intermittent ergot pellet (IEP; fed at 2 ppm during the first wk of each 21 d period and control diet for the other 2 wk). Calves were weighed every 21 days and blood samples were collected on d 0, 42, and 84. No treatment effects (P>0.05) were observed for complete blood count. Steer DMI was reduced for all ergot diets compared to the CON diet (P< 0.01, 7.45 vs. 8.05 kg/d). Steer ADG was reduced for all ergot diets compared to the CON diet (P< 0.01). CEM fed steers had lower ADG (P< 0.01, 0.980 vs. 0.735 kg) and shrunk final weight (P< 0.01, 366 vs. 350 kg) than CON calves, but CEM and IEM were no different. CEM fed steers had lower Gain:Feed (P< 0.07, 0.130 vs. 0.142) than CON calves. Pelleting ergot contaminated grain did not reduce the impact of ergot alkaloids on any of the measured parameters. Results suggest that continuously or intermittently feeding an ergot contaminated TMR (2 ppm) can significantly reduce the growth performance of backgrounded feedlot steers but no effects were observed for blood parameters. Pelleting was not an effective method of reducing ergot toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents epidemiologic observations of strychnine poisoning in dogs in western Canada from 1998 to 2013 for the purpose of evaluating suspected cases of poisoning. It mentions that the analysis showed no statistical differences in terms of age or gender and revealed that male dogs were more commonly affected strychnine poisoning. It concludes that strychnine poisoning is common toxicosis in the dogs of western Canada.

The article presents a case study of a white-tailed deer herd in southern Saskatchewan with chronic selenium (Se) toxicosis and showing signs of anorexia, weight loss and lameness. It reveals that the concentration of Se in the liver reaches about 2.7 to 8.97 mg/kg net weight accompanied with signs of myocardial necrosis, mineralization and fibroplasias. It also discusses the clinical and pathological findings associated with a case of Se toxicosis in a herd of farmed white-tailed deer.

The article presents a case study on the causes of sudden deaths and outbreak of diarrhea in Belgian horses in a farm in Southern Saskatchewan. It outlines the result of clinical testing of the horses which found out that the sudden death and osmotic diarrhea outbreak were attributed to sulfate toxicity combined with high salinity of drinking water. Moreover, it suggests the importance of testing water quality to prevent further outbreaks.

Epidemiology studies have demonstrated increased pulmonary morbidity such as allergy and infection with episodes of high particulate air pollution (size range 0.1-10 mum diameter, PM10), but the mechanism(s) for this association is not yet well defined. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of EHC-93 urban particles (Ottawa dust) on immune functions of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and splenocytes from male Fischer 344 rats and C57Bl/6 mice. Immune function endpoints evaluated included cell viability, lymphocyte blastogenesis stimulated by T-cell mitogen (concanavalin A, Con A) or B-cell mitogens [lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS/dextran sulfate], intracellular Ca2+ concentration, interleukin 2 (IL-2) production, and expression of receptors for transferrin (TfR) and IL-2 (IL-2R). In addition, the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, on the toxicity of EHC-93 particles was evaluated. Total EHC-93 particles, water leachate of EHC-93, and washed EHC-93 suppressed proliferation of PBMCs and splenocytes to T- and B-cell mitogens. Treatment of splenocytes with EHC-93 particles did not alter intracellular Ca2 + concentration or m itogen-induced expression of TfR and IL-2R expression, but increased IL-2 production assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In spite of an increase in IL-2 production, exogenous IL-2 when added to cultures was able to reverse the suppression of Con A-induced lymphocyte proliferation by EHC-93 particles. Furthermore, the suppressive effect of EHC-93 particles on mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation was completely abolished by addition of the antioxidant NAC to cultures, suggesting a possible role of oxidative factors for the toxicity of EHC-93 particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the association of pre-mixed and freshly mixed strychnine baits with poisoning of nontarget animals in Saskatchewan. During years where the formulations were derived from a 2% concentrate, there was a greater than 2-fold increase in case numbers. There were approximately 3-fold fewer cases when the baits were prepared by pest control officers rather than by producers.

A disease syndrome characterized by hemolysis, methemoglobinemia, methemoglobinuria, and death was observed in a herd of purebred Limousin beef cattle grazing on pasture in November in Alberta. Improper disposal of the nonselective herbicide, sodium chlorate, was identified as the causal agent. Highly variable blood methemoglobin levels reflected differences in herbicide consumption.

Acute zinc poisoning has been observed in dogs following the ingestion of metallic zinc objects. A 1 1/2-y-old female miniature bull terrier exhibiting anorexia, vomiting, depression, fever (39.9 C), icterus and intravascular hemolysis was diagnosed with acute zinc poisoning. Anemia, Heinz body production, azotemia and bilirubinemia were also evident. Abnormal pancreatic, hepatic and renal functions were also apparent. A radio opaque object was observed in the stomach. Based upon an elevated plasma zinc level of 28.6 ppm, a tentative diagnosis of zinc poisoning was made. Following surgical removal of the metallic zinc object, a blood transfusion and fluid therapy were given to restore the normal blood volume. Heparin, Cephazolin and Raniditine were also given, although chelation therapy was not provided. Zinc levels in the plasma declined in a steady fashion (half-life = 7.6 d). Complications, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation, chronic pancreatitis, renal or hepatic failure, were not observed. By 20 d post surgery, only mild elevation of liver enzymes was evident. Measurements of the half-life of zinc may provide a useful indication of prognosis and the success of treatment.

The normal cholinesterase activity in brain tissue was measured in 15 mammalian and 44 avian species using the Ellman method. Enzyme activity exhibited considerable interspecies variability. In mammals, the enzyme activities ranged from approximately 2 to 10 micromole/min/g of wet tissue. With the exception of the carnivores (dog, fox, coyote), no consistency of the enzyme activity could be identified in related mammalian species. The range of interspecies differences associated with avian cholinesterase activity were approximately double when compared to the mammalian species tested. Enzyme activities in avian species ranged from approximately 10 to 30 micromole/min/g. Comparisons for uniformity of enzyme activity between closely related avian species were poor in most instances. The considerable variability of the brain cholinesterase activities in avian and mammalian species illustrates the need for reliable normal values for individual species to improve ability to monitor environmental exposure or to confirm acute poisonings associated with organophosphate or carbamate insecticides.