Synonyms

Kerdiles disease

Name of the disease in English

Ptaquiloside poisoning-Bracken fern, Rockfern poisoning

The disease in brief

Ptaquiloside contained in Eagle Fern (and other ferns) is toxic to the hematopoietic marrow; it causes pancytopenia affecting all blood lines, particularly red blood cells and thrombocytes, which can manifest itself acutely. In addition, other chronic toxicity effects can occur: Carcinogenic effect on the bladder and intestine, retinal degeneration. Eagle Fern poisoning is common and represents the 4th cause of appeal to the CNITV.

Clinic & diagnosis

This is a purpura that appears in a few days in cattle that have access to fern; the symptoms can be varied:
-Hemorrhagic diarrhea or black stool associated with petechiae
- Visible petechiae anywhere on the body or in the mouth or on the vaginal mucosa
-Pink urine associated with fever or petechiae
-A drop of blood appearing at an injection site

Typical sign of the disease

No description

Pictures

See below

Diagnostic formulas

No description

Differential diagnosis

-Purpura by acute BVD PG17

–Hemorrhages due to anticoagulant raticides PG18
-Hemorrhagic syndromes-Other causes N52

Confirm a suspicion?

While the animal is alive, it is not easy to confirm the reality of the poisoning.

Prognosis and treatment

The prognosis is very poor; if treatment is attempted, a transfusion should be planned each time the hematocrit is below 12%: 1-1.5 l/100 kg of live weight, or 6 to 8 l/adult bovine, guarantees survival; the risk of incompatibility is negligible if a transfusion from the same donor is not repeated.

Prevention

-Avoid fern litter.

-Avoid contact between cattle and ferns during periods of scarcity.

References

Jouve C. (2009) Contribution to the development of a website on plant toxicology in ruminants: Monographs of the main plants incriminated according to data from the CNITV-Th. Med .Vet. Université Claude Bernard-Lyon1 271p