Xanthorrhoea hastile poisoning of cattle

Abstract

Four feedinq experiments with Xanthorrhoea hastile (swamp grasstree) were done in an endeavour to produce the condition known as wamps or North Coast disease of cattle. The disease was not produced when a 480 lb. heifer was fed 204 lb. of chaffed spikes in 48 days, nor when a 530 lb. steer was fed 305 lb. in 50 days. Typical symptoms of the field condition were produced when 467 lb. was fed to a 200 lb. heifer in 73 days, and when 470 lb. was fed to a 400 lb. animal in 48 days. A delayed effect of the plant toxin was observed. The symptoms are an ataxia in which there is a diagonal progression brought about by swinging of the hindquarters always to the same side. Often urinary incontinence, with the beast in the normal urinating posture, is seen. There is frequently complete recovery, but death may occur from starvation if the animal becomes recumbent and is unable to rise.