‘Kweek Tremors’, Cynodum dactylon
By Dr Mackie Hobson
Friday, 2nd October 2020Reported in sheep and calves in the OFS and Highveld.
Clinical signs:
Clinical signs start after 1-2 days. Muscle tremors, ataxia, paresis. Walk with stiff hind legs and a short choppy gait and often lift legs high. Nodding of head, side-ways movement Morbidity varies 5-35%.
Signs often precipitated by exercise.
Lie in sternal position and eat and drink.
Condition seldom fatal.
Treatment:
May recover after a couple of days but may last weeks.
Reference:
Plant Poisonings and Mycotoxicoses of livestock in Southern Africa (Kellerman, Coetzer, Naude)