A Case of Ryegrass Staggers Induced by Imported Straw in Japanese Black Cows

Hypomagnesemia in beef cattle

“…Another common clinical sign observed in animals from this outbreak was tetany, similar to that reported by other authors (Metson et al 1966, Grunes et al 1970, Haggard et al 1978, Cseh & Crenovich 1996, Wittwer et al 1997, Dutra 2009, Dutra 2010, El-Sangary et al 2011, Ishii et al 2012, Constable et al 2017). Among the diseases that cause tetany, the most frequent is tetanus, which in conditions of collective trauma can affect several animals (Rivero et al 1989, Abd El-Moez et al 2013.…”

“…In beef cattle, an outbreak of hypomagnesemia occurred in association with prolonged transport without access to feed and water (Dutra 2009) and two other outbreaks occurred after confinement for long periods in pens without access to water and feed (Dutra 2010). The data reported in this study and hypomagnesemia reported in beef cattle from different regions of the world (Metson et al 1966, Allcroft & Burns 1968, Haggard et al 1978, Harris et al 1983, Cseh & Crenovich 1996, Wittwer et al 1997, Odette 2005, Watson et al 2008, El-Sangary et al 2011, Ishii et al 2012, Cantón et al 2014, D' Angelo et al 2015 suggest that the disease is common in temperate climate regions and that it may be underdiagnosed.…”

“…Hypomagnesemia in beef cattle has been described in the Aberdeen Angus (Harris et al 1983, Greene et al 1989, Cseh & Crenovich 1996, Watson et al 2008, Cantón et al 2014, Hereford (Greene et al 1986, Wittwer et al 1997, Dutra 2009, Wagyū (Ishii et al 2012), Charolais (Cantón et al 2014) and Piedmontese (D' Angelo et al 2015) breeds. British and European Bos taurus taurus cattle are more susceptible to hypomagnesemic grass tetany than zebu (Bos taurus indicus) cattle and their crosses (Harris & Hill 1997, Greene et al 1986.…”

“…Outbreaks of hypomagnesemia have been described in beef cattle in Scotland (Burns & Allcroft 1967), the USA (Haggard et al 1978), Australia (Harris et al 1983, Harris & Hill 1997, New Zealand (Metson et al 1966, McKenzie 1999, Canada (Odette 2005), England and Wales (Watson et al 2008), Egypt (El-Sangary et al 2011, Japan (Ishii et al 2012), Italy (D' Angelo et al 2015, Argentina (Cseh & Crenovich 1996, Pechin et al 2011, Cantón et al 2014, Chile (Wittwer et al 1997) and Uruguay (Dutra 2009(Dutra , 2010. A number of risk factors have been associated with hypomagnesemia, including grazing fast-growing and lush forages in winter, reduced solar exposure of winter forages that may be accompanied by excess of rainfall, grazing on sprouts with high water, K and/or protein content and low crude fiber (Cseh & Crenovich 1996).…”

“…Hypomagnesemia occurs in beef cattle grazing pastures cultivated with perennial grasses, winter forages (Allcroft & Burns 1968, Grunes & Welch 1989, spring forages (Grunes et al 1970, Wilcox & Hoff 1974 or in native grasslands (Grunes et al 1970, Cseh & Crenovich 1996. Perennial grasses in which outbreaks of hypomagnesemia have been described include orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) (Grunes et al 1970, Cantón et al 2014, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) (Metson et al 1966, Grunes et al 1970, Ishii et al 2012, desert wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum) (Grunes et al 1970), tall wheatgrass (Thinopyrum ponticum), fescue (Festuca arundinacea), phalaris (Phalaris tuberosa) and weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) (Grunes et al 1970, Cseh & Crenovich 1996, Pechin et al 2011, Cantón et al 2014. Fast-growing and lush winter and spring forages that may cause hypomagnesemia (Grunes et al 1970, Bohman et al 1983, Harris et al 1983, Cseh & Crenovich 1996, Harris & Hill 1997, McKenzie 1999, Odette 2005) include annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum and Lolium multiflorum), wheat (Triticum aestivum), oat (Avena sativa) (Bohman et al 1983, Cantón et al 2014, rye (Secale cereale) (Grunes et al 1970, Brizuela & Cseh 2003 and barley (Hordeum leporinum and Hordeum vulgare) (Grunes et al 1970).…”