In the Amazon region of northern Br

in the amazon region of northern brazil, panicum maximum cultivars mombac ¸ a, tanza nia, and
massai cause severe colic and death in horses and mules. the disease occurs in the rainy season, when
sprouting pastures are grazed by equidae. in the 8 separate disease outbreaks studied, a total of 52 out of 153
equidae were affected, including 19 that died (10 mules and 9 horses).clinical signs were colic and abdominal
dilatation, with a clinical manifestation period of 12 hr to 4 days. serum activities of gamma-glutamyl
transferase and aspartate aminotransferase were within reference intervals; however, serum urea nitrogen and
creatinine concentrations were occasionally elevated. the primary gross and histologic lesions were observed
in the digestive system.the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine had severe hemorrhages and
occasional mucosal erosions and ulcerations. ulceration and hemorrhage of the urinary bladder were rarely
observed. histologic examination revealed diffuse lymphoplasmacytic gastritis and enteritis with severe
congestion, hemorrhage, and occasional epithelial necrosis and ulceration. lymphocellular necrosis was
.occasionally observed within gut-associated lymphoid tissue. tubular nephrosis occurred in some animals.
degeneration and occasional necrosis of bile duct epithelial cells and degeneration of hepatocytes were
observed in the liver. toxic pastures were negative for diosgenin-and yamogenin-based saponins, and oxalate
concentrations were within reference intervals for the species.the toxin or toxins causing disease and the
reason for the toxicity of the plant in the northern region are unknown.
key words: bloat; colic; equidae; horses; mules; panicum species.

In the Amazon region of northern Brazil, Panicum maximum cultivars Mombac¸a, Tanzaˆ nia, and
Massai cause severe colic and death in horses and mules. The disease occurs in the rainy season, when
sprouting pastures are grazed by equidae. In the 8 separate disease outbreaks studied, a total of 52 out of 153
equidae were affected, including 19 that died (10 mules and 9 horses). Clinical signs were colic and abdominal
dilatation, with a clinical manifestation period of 12 hr to 4 days. Serum activities of gamma-glutamyl
transferase and aspartate aminotransferase were within reference intervals; however, serum urea nitrogen and
creatinine concentrations were occasionally elevated. The primary gross and histologic lesions were observed
in the digestive system. The stomach, small intestine, and large intestine had severe hemorrhages and
occasional mucosal erosions and ulcerations. Ulceration and hemorrhage of the urinary bladder were rarely
observed. Histologic examination revealed diffuse lymphoplasmacytic gastritis and enteritis with severe
congestion, hemorrhage, and occasional epithelial necrosis and ulceration. Lymphocellular necrosis was
occasionally observed within gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Tubular nephrosis occurred in some animals.
Degeneration and occasional necrosis of bile duct epithelial cells and degeneration of hepatocytes were
observed in the liver. Toxic pastures were negative for diosgenin- and yamogenin-based saponins, and oxalate
concentrations were within reference intervals for the species. The toxin or toxins causing disease and the
reason for the toxicity of the plant in the northern region are unknown.
Key words: Bloat; colic; equidae; horses; mules; Panicum species.

the region of northern Brazil In Amazon, Panicum Mombac ̧ a maximum cultivars, Tanza ˆ nia, and
Massai cause severe colic and death in horses and mules. The disease occurs in the rainy season, when sprouting
pastures are grazed by equidae. In 8 separate the disease outbreaks studied, a total of 52 out of 153
equidae were affected, including 19 that died (10 mules and 9 horses).
Clinical signs were abdominal colic and dilatation, with a clinical manifestation period of 12 HR to 4 days. Serum activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase
and aspartate aminotransferase were within reference intervals; however, serum urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations were
occasionally elevated. The primary gross and histologic lesions were observed
in the digestive system.The stomach, small intestine, and large intestine had severe hemorrhages and occasional
mucosal erosions and ulcerations.Ulceration and hemorrhage of the urinary bladder were rarely observed
. Histologic examination revealed diffuse lymphoplasmacytic gastritis and enteritis with
severe congestion, hemorrhage, and occasional epithelial necrosis and ulceration, necrosis was
Lymphocellularoccasionally observed within gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Tubular nephrosis occurred in some animals.
Degeneration and occasional necrosis of bile duct epithelial cells and degeneration of hepatocytes were observed in the liver
. Toxic pastures were negative for diosgenin - and yamogenin-based saponins,
and oxalate concentrations were within reference intervals for the species.The toxin or disease causing toxins and the reason for the
toxicity of the plant in the northern region are unknown.
Key words: Bloat; colic; equidae; horses; mules; Panicum species.