Short communication: massive mortality in rabbits by maduramicin poisoning

Abstract

A spontaneous outbreak of maduramicin intoxication in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is reported. It is believed that maduramicin incorporated as a coccidiostat into poultry pellet fed to rabbits was the cause, as up to 2.01 ppm was found in the samples and cardiopulmonary clinical signs in most of the rabbits was the common pattern. Findings here were consistent with the classic indications observed in ionophore toxicosis in different species, but little is known about the toxicity of maduramicin in rabbits.

Maduramicin induces cardiotoxicity via Rac1 signaling‐independent methuosis in H9c2 cells

“…During maduramicin or other ionophore‐induced intoxication cases, histopathological examination demonstrates various levels of vacuolar degeneration, necrosis, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in cardiac muscle of poisoned pigs (Shimshoni et al, 2014), goats (Deljou et al, 2014), sheep (Ashrafihelan et al, 2014), and rabbits (Martino et al, 2009). These in vivo pathological evidences further corroborate the importance of necrosis‐like cell death in maduramicin‐induced cardiotoxicity.…”

The toxicity and adverse effects of selected drugs in animals – overview

“…Calcium overload moreover contributes to the activation of phospholipase A 2 , endonucleases and proteases, and enhances intracellular signalling and release of neurotransmitters which is connected with possible cytotoxic effect (Kart and Bilgili 2008). The species extremely sensitive to the ionophores action are horse and other equids (Hsu 2008), but the cases of poisonings in cattle, sheep, turkeys, cats, dogs and rabbits were also described (Bastianello et al 1996, van der Linde-Sipman et al 1999, Segev et al 2004, Aleman et al 2007, Franca et al 2009, Martino et al 2009, Oruc et al 2010. The off-label use is the main reason of these situations, followed by exchange of feed.…”