Lasalocid Toxicosis in Neonatal Calves

Acute lasalocid poisoning in calves associated with off‐label use

“…Therefore, the dosage of lasalocid administered in these animals may be responsible for the intoxication in these calves. Clinical signs in the calves of the present report were similar to those reported previously from an experimental study (Moon et al, 1982) and from field cases of lasalocid toxicosis and included anorexia, tachycardia, dyspnoea, nasal discharge ataxia, and lateral recumbency with opisthotonus and death (Blanchard et al, 1993;Benson et al, 1998;EMEA, 2004). Post-mortem changes primarily affecting the heart and the lungs were similar to those observed in experimental and field intoxications (Galitzer et al, 1982;Moon et al, 1982;Blanchard et al, 1993;Benson et al, 1998).…”

“…, 1982) and from field cases of lasalocid toxicosis and included anorexia, tachycardia, dyspnoea, nasal discharge ataxia, and lateral recumbency with opisthotonus and death (Blanchard et al. , 1993; Benson et al. , 1998; EMEA, 2004).…”

“…Lasalocid has been reported to cause toxic effects when administered to calves, and lasalocid doses of 5-8 mg ⁄ kg body weight have been described to cause lethal effects in young calves (single or a few doses) (Blanchard et al, 1993;Benson et al, 1998;EMEA, 2004;EFSA, 2007). In the case described here, lasalocid sodium was administered to calves with milk at an intended dose of 5 mg ⁄ kg body weight.…”

“…Lasalocid, when administrated incorrectly, for example following mixing errors, can cause intoxications in animals, particularly in dogs, young calves, horses and rabbits (EFSA, 2007). Lasalocid doses of 5-8 mg ⁄ kg body weight have been described to cause lethal effects in young calves (single or repeated doses) (Blanchard et al, 1993;Benson et al, 1998;EMEA, 2004;EFSA, 2007). It is assumed that lasalocid alters the ionic transport across lipid membranes and evokes catecholamine release from cells.…”

The efficacy of a combination of azithromycin and toltrazuril for the treatment of calves naturally infected with cryptosporidiosis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparative clinical trial

“…The ideal treatment protocol should aim to improve the systemic condition and to minimize or even stop oocyte shedding. Furthermore, the drug should have a better margin of safety as some effective drugs such as lasalocid (Benson et al 1998) can easily harm the animals as a result of overdosing. In our study, infected calves in all groups had faecal oocyst scores of 3.16 ± 0.739 prior to treatment, which is comparable to the results of Castro-Hermida et al (2001), who reported 3 ± 0.8.…”