Acute hemorrhagic syndrome by bracken poisoning in cattle in Belgium

In August 2007, two Belgian Blue cows which had been on pasture for three months showed high fever (41.4°C), epistaxis, melena, cutaneous bleeding, a stiff gait and red lesions on the udder. Blood examination revealed severe pancytopenia and bluetongue virus serotype 8 could be demonstrated by PCR. Despite blood transfusion and supportive treatment, both animals died within 6 days after the initial symptoms. At necropsy, an explicit case of a blood coagulation disorder was observed. Inspection at pasture, one week later, showed the presence of numerous regenerated young fronds of Pteridium aqu... Mehr ...