• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.174-177
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• 1998

Two 7 months old Korean native beef calves, which were suspected as ergotisms were referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospitals Chonnam National University in February 1997. Those showed severe lameness as a result of a dry gangrene of the lower part of both hindlimbs which unilaterally were detached, tail necrosis and retarded growth. On the skin of the extremities of both hindlimbs were clearly appeared indented line, hypertropic granuloma and hemorrhage, from which were isolated gicrosp$\theta$rum gysiNㅁt. On the X-ray views of hindlimbs and the longitudinal sectioned metatarsal bones were not observed any changes of osteomyelitis except slightly increased osteophytes and soft tissue swelling. Clnical and anatomical observations were suggested that these calves were affected by the ergotism.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.493-496
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• 2006

This study investigated cases of progressively necrotizing limbs in Korean indigenous calves. The recent case (Case 1) involved a 3-month old, male calf in Jeonbuk province that presented a visibly dry form of gangrene affecting joints of the forelimbs and the hind limbs. Radiograph revealed osteoarthritis possibly resulting from pressure of disrupted joint skin, fasciae, deeper underlying musculatures and tendon. Histopathology of affected tissue showed necrotizing; severely thrombosed dilated blood vessels with rechanneling microvasculatures. The lack of substantial infectious inflammatory exudates in the vital organs and the inability to respond to antimicrobial treatment bolstered the notion that the observed thromboembolic and vascular lesion was attributed to possible vasoconstrictive effects of ergot alkaloids. Case 2: A previously encountered similar case in a 4-month old, male calf showing gangrene of hind limbs and posterior ataxia was likewise presented. These two cases were impressed as probable ergotism. Ergotism may be uncommon or underreported in Korea. Future isolation of ergot alkaloids in feeds or in pasture is highly suggested.