Aflatoxin poisoning in my herd

ozark_jewels · #1 05/10/12, 11:49 AM

Ok, so now the results are back. They found aflatoxins when the hay was tested. Usually aflatoxins do not cause such sudden and severe problems, but it is not unheard of. Another goat breeder I knew of had aflatoxin poisoning from her custom feed mix years ago. She had more severe losses than I did.

This is the same toxin that is causing widespread production losses in dairy cattle herds I am familiar with, and sometimes deaths. It is most commonly found in corn, but can be found in most any grain and in hays. It is not usually visible to the naked eye. A lot of feed mills are starting to test every batch of corn bought in, as several have had lawsuits against them from losses sustained by dairies that buy their bulk feeds. Now, I'm wondering if we should also be testing our hays.....
It is more common during drought conditions while the crop is growing(which we had this past year when this hay was grown).

Some quotes from sites I've been studying on. Quotes are in bold, my observations are not:

"Cattle afflicted with aflatoxin may have a black or bloody diarrhea from digestive tract bleeding"

My sick goats that survived past the first 24 hours had black/bloody scours.

"Aflatoxin poisoning (aflatoxicosis) is one of nature's most potent toxins and quickly kills goats. A by-product of mold growth, aflatoxins do not go away, even if the mold dies............
Aflatoxin poisoning can be acute (goat dies within hours) or chronic (recurring illness)"

So in hays, if the mold is no longer visible, its going to be impossible to tell without testing. Lovely.
I think I'm almost glad my goats had the acute kind. They have been healthy as horses since they recovered. Milk production is not lowered at all, which is one of the chronic symptoms.

Will post more pertinant info if I find it.

Thanks Sue, for finding out!!

Bambitski · #2 05/10/12, 11:54 AM

I am still so sorry to have heard this happened to you. But Thank You for postin gthis information. Yes, one more thing to look out for. But at least you have put the warning out there so maybe this doesn thappen again. Thank you again.

ozark_jewels · #3 05/10/12, 11:55 AM

Here is an interesting read I found. This vet gave great advice in my opinion. It all proved so with my situation. I was doing everything he reccomended(and more as I didn't have a clue what I was dealing with) and after 7-14 days they were all recovered. But I will say that there were days where I saw zero improvement. I came very close to putting some down.
Of course the worst three died within the first 24 hours. Eclipse I put down when he started screaming continuously.

Hi there, my pet goat (female - 2 1/2 years old) was taken - JustAnswer

ozark_jewels · #4 05/10/12, 12:02 PM

Found this on the Onion Creek website:

The most accurate and cost-effective method available to detect mycotoxins, including aflatoxin, is the ELISA test (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Quanta Lab in Selma, Texas (just north of San Antonio on IH35) does this testing. Its President, Mark Nickle, can be reached at 1-888-567-TEST. Quanta Lab also tests for Prussic Acid and Nitrate/Nitrite toxicity.

mpete · #5 05/10/12, 12:02 PM

Thank you for sharing...

ozark_jewels · #6 05/10/12, 12:08 PM

Here is an old court case where alfalfa hay with aflatoxin caused herd-wide issues in a dairy cattle herd, deaths, abortions, non-breeding, etc. I skimmed through it and I do not think she won. But its one of the few sites I've found that discuss confirmed aflatoxins in alfalfa hay.
Seems like for safety, if a person is growing and selling large amounts of hay, it would behoove them to have it tested. But not many I know of do. But in that case, the buyer should test I suppose.

http://caselaw.findlaw.com/mo-court-...s/1333188.html

ozark_jewels · #7 05/10/12, 12:10 PM

If you are sick to death of this topic, just let me know.

where I want to · #8 05/10/12, 12:43 PM

Never- any information is good just in case..............
I appreciate you being willing to give information- usually I'm in a hurry to avoid talking about bad things to avoid my own discomfort. So I especially appreciate this.
This gives me a new perspective on gradually change when switching feeds. It is said so oftern that it's a cliche but I'm wondering if this is something I shouldn't be so casual about any more.
It's so easy to just keep feeding til the old stuff is gone then start the new. Even though I'm more careful when switching kinds of feed (like grass to alfalfa,) maybe it's a good idea to feed smaller amounts of the new stuff.
Do you think that this would have made any difference? Like maybe the illness might have been noticable with a smaller amount but yet not so toxic? Or do you think that it would not have been clear until more was consumed anyway? Could it have actually been worse as would have had a longer exposure?
Any thoughts beside testing?

ozark_jewels · #9 05/10/12, 12:59 PM

I really don't know. I actually did "all the right things". Fed a small amount on top of my normal hay, they seemed fine the next morning, so I fed a little more, again on top of their normal hay. That same day around noon is when the first symptoms started and progressed like wildfire. So......if I had fed it straight with no mixing, would I have lost them all?? I don't know.

Dreamgoat Annie · #10 05/10/12, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozark_jewels

If you are sick to death of this topic, just let me know.

Not me! We have such an awful problem buying decent hay in this area and now here's something else to worry about. I want to know as much about it as I can.

Thanks for posting the information.

Sue

beewench · #11 05/10/12, 01:33 PM

Thank you for posting! Im sure it must be difficult for you but I do SO appreciate you sharing with us!

Dreamgoat Annie · #12 05/10/12, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozark_jewels

Thanks Sue, for finding out!!

You're very welcome but Barbara Burrows did it, not me. :o)

Barbara is a veteran shepherd and a really nice person. I got two beautiful wethers from her some time ago and she's been at my sheep list from the get-go.

Sue

Oat Bucket Farm · #13 05/10/12, 02:19 PM

I'm not sick of the subject. It's just one more thing we have to worry about and keep a look out for.

Is it just alfalfa hay that can have this toxin? Or is possible in grass hay?

ozark_jewels · #14 05/10/12, 03:00 PM

Yes, thank you, Barbara!!

I have found from reading that it is most common in legume hays but is possible in anything that grows. It is most commonly found in grains, especially corn. I had actually only heard of it in corn before this episode, and as I don't use corn, had never given it much thought. So much for that!

It is becoming a bigger and bigger problem in feeds.....personally, I believe it is getting worse as we manipulate our crops more and more. It did NOT used to be the real problem it is now.

Dreamgoat Annie · #15 05/10/12, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozark_jewels

It is becoming a bigger and bigger problem in feeds.....personally, I believe it is getting worse as we manipulate our crops more and more. It did NOT used to be the real problem it is now.

And all commercial American field corn is now GMO, so that adds to the problem. Jere Gettle at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds says it's so pervasive that their seed growers have problems with GMO corn pollen blowing long distances and cross-pollinating their heritage corn. They test their seed and much of it has to be discarded.

I hate feeding corn. However, we are constantly short of hay and the animals have to eat something. Right now (for the goats and sheep) it's corn, sheep and goat pellets, and bagged alfalfa at $14.95 for a 45 pound bag. I fed my last bale of prime Bermuda last week and we can't find decent new hay anywhere. Yikes.

Thank goodness our crappy soil grows enough greenery to feed the horses and the two steers. The sheep and goats also go out to graze every day but it's pretty slim pickin's, especially for the sheep (the goats browse on oak and hickory shoots).

And we have to look for a new hay supplier this year as the really nice man we bought Bermuda from the past two years lost his farm. It was so nice to have really good hay (while it lasted).

Sue

noeskimo · #16 05/10/12, 09:01 PM

Hey cheer up, hay prices WILL come down-here they already have-alfalfa square bales $17. We got 3" of rain today:the most we've had for more than 2 yrs.

Pony · #17 05/10/12, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozark_jewels

If you are sick to death of this topic, just let me know.

Not sick of it; it's important.

But it does make me sad to think of your beautiful goats dying like that... I love your goats, and it breaks my heart all over again...

eclipchic · #18 05/10/12, 09:37 PM

I can't say I ever tire of learning something new.

Ranger · #19 05/11/12, 05:59 PM

Emily, I can't thank you enough for being brave enough to let us all know just what happened at your place. I know how much it must hurt everytime that you even think of it, so it means even more. This may save someone else from going through the same pain that you have, and that's worth more than I can say. All love to you, and thank you again.

Minelson · #20 05/11/12, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

Emily, I can't thank you enough for being brave enough to let us all know just what happened at your place. I know how much it must hurt everytime that you even think of it, so it means even more. This may save someone else from going through the same pain that you have, and that's worth more than I can say. All love to you, and thank you again.

Yes this! ^^^ Thanks for putting it into words Ranger. I couldn't find the words and you did perfectly

((((Emily)))