The chronic course of a probable monensin toxicosis in cattle

Abstract

Feedlot calves given monensin in their feed developed an excessive mortality which peaked 3-4 mo after monensin was withdrawn. Typically the calves died suddenly and necropsy revealed areas of paleness in the skeletal muscles (early cases) and in the myocardium (more chronic cases). Histology (in 19 calves) showed swollen myocytes with loss of striation and sarcoplasmic vacuolization, followed by the appearance of necrotic fibres and infiltration with macrophages and neutrophils, and finally local and generalized fibrosis. Calcification was not evident. A differential diagnosis ruled out an etiology of nutritional and toxicological origin, thus leaving the probability of atypical (chronic) monensin toxicosis.