Facial paralysis with ear droop in calves associated with exposure to steelworks slag, possibly due to vanadium toxicity. Issue 2 (16th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jewell, Natalie; Jones, Jeff; Floyd, Toby; Davies, Gunhild; Payne, Jo
• Is Part Of: Veterinary record case reports. Volume 10:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-03-16
• Subjects: calves -- cattle -- neuromuscular disorders -- pathology -- toxicology; Veterinary medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; 636.08905
• DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.339
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-6121

Abstract

Abstract: A group of 5 to 7‐week‐old calves presented with unusual clinical signs that included facial paralysis and ear droop. Postmortem examination of a single calf ruled out infectious causes and confirmed that the calf had ingested a gritty slag, a by‐product from the steel industry. The slag was being used on a farm on grazing land but had been stored in such a way that the calves had been exposed. Analysis of the ingested material and tissue analysis confirmed the presence of vanadium at concentrations likely to be significant. A literature search confirmed two other similar cases in Sweden and New Zealand where steel slag exposure had been associated with similar clinical signs; in the former case, these had been attributed to acute vanadium toxicity.