Photosensitization

Durrus Boy

Just a quick one out of interest....

Have many of ye had cases of the above. Have been having 4 to 5 animals showing symptoms every year for the past 3 years. Have already had 2 cases this year. All continentals here so probably more pre-disposed due to lighter skin pigmentation e.g CHX or BAX but actually had a dark Saler X cow with it last year.

Animal ages range from yearlings to cows and stock grazing old pasture to new reseeds - just seems to be no common factors that I can see.

So...many others seeing this? It's easily treated but just another bloody nuisance of an ailment to deal with!!

lefthooker

Have seen 1 animal/year for the last 2 years. Both fr heifers sucks after turning out to grass. From 2 different herds as I buy in all replacements. Never in the continentals

Only remedy for it is indoors, pucks of meal and off to the factory.

onyerbikepat

I had a cow with it a few years back. Put her in shed, dark as possible and let out at night to graze. She got it again a year later but not as bad.
She doesnt seem to get it now at all, but I keep an eye on her in sunny weather.

They reckon they get it from eating certain plants like 'St John's Wort'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypericum_perforatum

Are you dosing your cattle for fluke? It might be related to a weakened liver.

Edit - I should add too that my cow was nearly all white and very short fine hair.

Kovu

Have never had it here but I've heard that it can be also a symptom of cattle eating certain plants like ragwort. Would your silage contain that as it's especially palatable to them then?

Greysides had a very good post on it here-

greysides wrote: »

The link above is a good one but as most work on this problem has been done in countries with different climates and therefore flora to ours a lot of it is not relevant or extrapolation needs to be done.

One plant omitted is Bog Asphodel.

Extrapolating from plants mentioned..... Hogweed, Cow parsley and other members of that family,

..........................................Clover, white and red on occassion.

..........................................Fungal spores and mycotoxins are mentioned and we're likely to have our own culprits here.

Ragwort poisoning is mentioned and I've seen photosensitisation preceding the obvious Ragwort Poisoning.

It can be a occur in Malignant Catarrah and there have been suggestions that it can occur in Leptospirosis too but the suggestion applies to exotic species of Lepto.

It can be very severe and should not be underestimated. The colloquial name 'Sunburn' does animals a disservice by trivialising the condition. Luckily most times it is mild and it can be trivial enough to go unnoticed unless pointed out. Most dairy herds would have animals with it in the early grazing season- the trivial form that is.

However, it is a chemical burn that starts at the level of the blood vessels in the skin unlike sunburn which starts closer to the surface.

The pain is usually gone by the time the animal begins to look like a rag doll.


The light reaches the chemical to activate it on areas of the body not protected by melanin/black pigment, so white or light-coloured areas; or areas where the hair is thin or absent (nose, eyelids, back of ears, udder).

Ever noticed it on just one side of an udder?.........................Guess which side of the udder was facing up when the animal was sitting down then.


The chemical reaction is sparked by light, not bright sunlight, just light. The place for an affected animal is the house you have that most resembles a dungeon.


The body temperature reaction can often cause abortion. The circulation of chemicals released from damaged tissue is what causes the nervous signs.

One other curiousity................it can rarely occur in jet-black animals...............just to validate 'The exception proves the rule'.

ganmo

happens the odd time in sheep too

agriman27

I had one yearling heifer last year, very painful for them. One small injection of an antihistamine cured it. I read somewhere that buttercups can cause it too.

_Brian

I've only seen a few cases here and always in Ch cattle.

I wonder how this goes in places like France. Every Sumer I drive through France seeing huge herds of CH stock basking in the relentless sunshine. Is there any chance this is exasperated by a mineral diffeciency or some such in our soil types. I mean, it's not like we have an unbelievably sunny climate !!

Dawggone

_Brian wrote: »

I've only seen a few cases here and always in Ch cattle.

I wonder how this goes in places like France. Every Sumer I drive through France seeing huge herds of CH stock basking in the relentless sunshine. Is there any chance this is exasperated by a mineral diffeciency or some such in our soil types. I mean, it's not like we have an unbelievably sunny climate !!

We had a case here last week in a heifer (Holstein) that calved in February.
It was the first case ever in the herd.
There are 11 vets in the practice and it was the first case in 10 years.
The cows were grazing a high amount of clover at the time...
I think it may be genetic as we always had one or two every summer in Ireland.

greysides

Clover is known to cause it.

tanko

greysides wrote: »

Clover is known to cause it.

I always assumed that eating St Johns wort is the main cause of it?

greysides

tanko wrote: »

I always assumed that eating St Johns wort is the main cause of it?

St John's Wort is a woodland, possibly hedgerow plant that I see only rarely. Maybe it's more common where you are. I think it's just a name that sticks in the mind better.

Here is a list of potential causal agents:

• Sporidesmin toxin from the fungus Pithomyces chartarum which grows on pastures of Ryegrass and White Clover.
• Waterbloom algae, Microcystis species.
• Ragwort Poisoning. Rarely.
• Corticosteroid use. Rarely.
• St. John's Wort
• Wild Parsnip
• Hogweed
• Celery
• Angelica
• Garlic
• Red Clover
• White Clover
• Lucerne
• Bog Asphodel
• Common Vetch
• Buckwheat

Base price

I have only come across two cases of it and I have been breeding/rearing cattle for the last 33 years.
The first case, 20 odd years ago, was in a simmental suckler cow. It affected the areas where she had white hair more than red hair. The white hair fell out. Also the pigment around her eyes, nose and vulva was affected. Vet gave her some sort of antihistamine injection. I had to keep her indoors during the day and let her out to graze at night. I used to put pseudocrem on her to help heal the cracking skin.
Second case was in a yearling fr bull a few years ago. He was more ho type and predominately white haired. He never had the problem as a calf.
I used to breed PBR BA and also had BAx/Lmx/Six suckler cows. As Brian said the Blondes liked nothing better than to bask in the full sunshine while the others preferred to stay in the shade.

_Brian

greysides wrote: »

Clover is known to cause it.

So is there little/no clover in continental Europe ?? Do our swarths contain that much more ??

Dawggone

_Brian wrote: »

So is there little/no clover in continental Europe ?? Do our swarths contain that much more ??

Clover is very important here because of nitrate restrictions.

_Brian

Dawggone wrote: »

Clover is very important here because of nitrate restrictions.

That's what I would have thought..
Must be something else to it that we see much more off here in Ireland, or more likely a combination of factors that increase the incidence..

Base price

I am surprised to see lucerne on the list as most of the French Blonde breeders that I came across grew it.

greysides

It may not be the lucerne or clover directly but mycotoxins from moulds that grow on them and it may only apply to certain climates. That list was compiled some time ago.

orm0nd

it's important to follow up with a laboratory liver analysis when the affected animal(s) are slaughtered

cuts out a lot of guess work re causes

patsy_mccabe

What do ye reckon?

greysides

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

What do ye reckon?

Yes. Rub in udder ointment, talk to your vet. If pregnant, may abort.

whelan2

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

What do ye reckon?

is that the one that had meningitis or a different one?

patsy_mccabe

whelan2 wrote: »

is that the one that had meningitis or a different one?

Ya, that's the one. It was pitch dark at the time so in fairness hard to see the red colouring. She is being treated now for photo' and seems to be improving. The pigment seems to be coming back on her nose. I have her inside too.
I lost a weanling heifer a month ago that just pined away to nothing. Vet (another one) treated for all the usual stuff but didn't seem to know what it was. He did mention that she looked toxic. Looking back now it was the same bloody thing as the calf had some scapping on the nose.
They were both in the same field at the time too. It was some land I bought this year so I never grazed it before. Wonder what plant caused it. I walked it today and couldn't see anything odd.

orm0nd

we found with sheep it helped to bring them in doors

tanko

Does eating St Johns Wort cause it?

greysides

orm0nd wrote: »

we found with sheep it helped to bring them in doors

First thing to do.

patsy_mccabe

This was the only strange plant I could see today.

Mad4simmental

I had a heifer like that this year. Every time we got a sunny spell she would go like that so into the shed for a few days and she would be fine.

I thought she ate sumthing first, she was in a field away from home. Got vet out, gave her a few shots but I brought her home as it kept happening when we got a few sunny days. She would be kicking her hind legs and getting up and down every few minnets in distress.

She's a light coulered sim. I'm convinced it's the sun she's burning up from like a red head. She's been fine the last month or so. Hopefully she won't do the same next year as she's one of the best girls I have.

It only happens on her udder and nose, starting right at her hair line. Basically only exposed skin.

Mad4simmental

tanko wrote: »

Does eating St Johns Wort cause it?

Is that the same thing as ragworth?

tanko

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

This was the only strange plant I could see today.

Maybe I'm wrong but I think that's St Johns Wort. I had a cow with photosensitisation or "brown snout" as its called around here last year. The vet had a look in the fields and came across a plant like yours and said that caused it.
If an animal hasn't been properly treated for liver fluke the condition can be more severe.

greysides

St John's Wort..yes. But I don't think the plant is St John's Wort.

That is a different plant to Ragwort.

tanko

Mad4simmental wrote: »

Is that the same thing as ragworth?

No, i think it's different.

Milked out

One of my dry autumn calvers has it as well, the stuff the vet would normally give her would cause her to abort so he said painkiller and into the shed. Her udder, teats and snout mainly affected. Hopefully the photosynthesis won't cause that to happen anyway

Base price

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

This was the only strange plant I could see today.

Patsy, if it is ok with you I would like to forward a copy of your pic to a friend who maybe able to identify it.

Sacrolyte

Had a cow exactly like patsy had this year. Treated her for photo and she be grand now. Cracked udder and snout and whites of the eyes gone red. Gave her 2 shots of calvasone. Vet said if she wasn't too heavy in calf she wouldn't abort. She dident.

Birdnuts

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

This was the only strange plant I could see today.

Looks like a bed of sow-thistle

patsy_mccabe

Base price wrote: »

Patsy, if it is ok with you I would like to forward a copy of your pic to a friend who maybe able to identify it.

Sure, go ahead. That's why I put it up. Maybe others can learn from it too.

Genghis Cant

Birdnuts wrote: »

Looks like a bed of sow-thistle

I see what I think is Sow thistle too
I also see Dock and Nettle and I think maybe Nippleworth?

Charliebull

Patsy

I had a SIMX cow get that bout 3 years ago, same as Base Price on the udder and around eyes and on white parts, was sore looking and she stopped letting calf suck

i injected her and left her out, as she found shade herself and was eating

vet said to cull but i kept her and 3 calves later she has never relapsed, mind you she has not a screed of hair around her eyes

longgonesilver

How is the cow?

Is there two plants in the middle of the picture? One with yellow flowers and another with broad leaves lower down. I also see the usual nettles docks and sow thistle. Is there one layer of petals on the yellow flower?

You bought the field this year, have you reseeded it? All these weeds are at a very young stage more like what you would expect to see in the spring. Is there a reason for this?

patsy_mccabe

longgonesilver wrote: »

How is the cow?

Is there two plants in the middle of the picture? One with yellow flowers and another with broad leaves lower down. I also see the usual nettles docks and sow thistle. Is there one layer of petals on the yellow flower?

You bought the field this year, have you reseeded it? All these weeds are at a very young stage more like what you would expect to see in the spring. Is there a reason for this?

Cow is doing fine thanks. I still have her in. Pigment is nearly back to normal.
No, I didn't reseed the field. The field is right next door to our own land and the plants you see shot up in the gap I knocked between the fields, so ya fairly fresh dug up earth.
I'll check tomorrow to see what the yellow flowers are like.

Milked out

Milked out wrote: »

One of my dry autumn calvers has it as well, the stuff the vet would normally give her would cause her to abort so he said painkiller and into the shed. Her udder, teats and snout mainly affected. Hopefully the photosynthesis won't cause that to happen anyway

Cow calved today, 2 and a half weeks early small heifer calf. Her udder had healed a bit as well as any white parts on her body but her teats are red raw, could have done with her going full term and she would have been fine. Balls anyway

greysides

Are the teats as bad as they look? Will she allow you to milk her?

Sometimes they still look red but the pain is gone.

You could try rubbing in moisturising lotions.

Milked out

greysides wrote: »

Are the teats as bad as they look? Will she allow you to milk her?

Sometimes they still look red but the pain is gone.

You could try rubbing in moisturising lotions.

Front two aren't too bad, the back two are sore alright. It was still scabby. Not a hope she'd leave the calf try. I've multi derm spray here but will get golden udder today. Normally use vacadyne from Osmonds but that is hard and needs a good bit of rubbing to melt in which would drive her daft

patsy_mccabe

Anyone ever see a cow get badly lame with photosensitization. Neighbours cow has the symptoms, red scappy head with between the back hooves very red.

greysides

Four white lower legs will produce a very lame cow.

sonnybill

I’ve read the posts here and have similar case today. 15 year old suckler , puffy round eyes, like she got a belt in both eyes, saliva dripping from her mouth , kicking the pain in back legs, red teats, I got the vet and put her and calf in dark shed.

He gave multivitamin into vein, dosed for fluke but she was dosed for Fluke orally twice 2 weeks apart in April going to grass!

Gave her thriver and she will eat meal/ nuts to beat the band but she not happy and kicked the hell out of anti-backing bar to the pint I thought she’d break her leg

Thought an old cow like that wouldn’t eat ragwort but there was a bit in one field they were in

tanko

It’s eating St Johns Wort that causes it, nothing to do with Ragwort afaik.

sonnybill

tanko wrote: »

It’s eating St Johns Wort that causes it, nothing to do with Ragwort afaik.

I’ll have to search / look out for that plant as not seen it in this rough piece I let them into , that was 3 days ago they were in that , I thought it was tetany as first as place they grazing is blue green after the sheep bared it

Mooooo

Vet guve any anti-inflammatory such as metacam? If not it would probably help.

wrangler

sonnybill wrote: »

I’ve read the posts here and have similar case today. 15 year old suckler , puffy round eyes, like she got a belt in both eyes, saliva dripping from her mouth , kicking the pain in back legs, red teats, I got the vet and put her and calf in dark shed.

He gave multivitamin into vein, dosed for fluke but she was dosed for Fluke orally twice 2 weeks apart in April going to grass!

Gave her thriver and she will eat meal/ nuts to beat the band but she not happy and kicked the hell out of anti-backing bar to the pint I thought she’d break her leg

Thought an old cow like that wouldn’t eat ragwort but there was a bit in one field they were in

I'm nearly sure I read somewhere that Liver damage can cause Photosensitisation, hence the fluke dose maybe

tanko

It’s not a good idea to force cattle to graze fairly bare roughish ground that may have St. John’s wort in as cattle sometimes eat it if grass is scarce.