Kikuyu poisoning in sheep

Authors: Martinovich D
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 20, Issue 9, pp 169, Sep 1972
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Toxicology, Poisoning - plant
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: In northern New Zealand, so-called Kikuyu poisoning is now a well recognized disease which occurs sporadically in cattle grazing Kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) (Cordes et al 1969; Busch et al 1969; Martinovich et al 1972). We have investigated several outbreaks of Kikuyu poisoning over the last 3 years and have observed, as did Cordes et al that sheep were apparently unaffected while grazing pasture that produced the disease in cattle. There have been isolated reports of suspected ovine Kikuyu poisoning in Northland but confirmatory evidence on these is not available. Recently we obtained information which indicates that sheep can be affected. To test the susceptibility of sheep, 208 wethers, approximately 20 months old, were placed on a 0.6 ha Kikuyu pasture near Kaitaia for one week from 1 p.m. on May 16, 1972…

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