Perennial Ryegrass Staggers

Perennial Ryegrass Staggers



Basic Information image



Definition


Mycotoxicosis associated with the ingestion of endophyte (Neotyphodium lolii)-infected perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)



Synonym(S)


Stagger syndrome



Epidemiology



Geography and Seasonality


Perennial ryegrass is a hardy, popular grass grown for forage and seed production in many parts of the United States. Toxicoses may result from grazing contaminated pastures or ingesting contaminated hay.



Clinical Presentation



Disease Forms/Subtypes


Clinical signs are neurologic in nature.



History, Chief Complaint


Abrupt onset of staggering, with a high percentage of animals in the group affected



Physical Exam Findings




• Fine muscle tremors of the head and neck


• Ataxic, uncoordinated jerky gait, primarily affecting the forelimbs and then the hind limbs


• Signs become worse when the animal is forced to move



Etiology and Pathophysiology




• The endophyte, N. lolii, is found within the lower leaf sheaths and seeds.


• The toxic substance produced by the endophyte are called lolitrems.


• Lolitrems are thought to affect the Purkinje cells and may impair inhibitory pathways in the nervous system, especially those mediated by γ-aminobutyric acid or glycine.

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Jul 24, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Perennial Ryegrass Staggers

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