Toxicosis from Range Lupine Ingestion in a Research Herd of Rafter 7 Merino Sheep

Authors

Benjamin J. Weigler, University of Nevada, RenoFollow
Walter F. Mandeville III, University of Nevada, Reno
Scott Huber, University of Nevada, Reno
Gary McCuin, University of Nevada, Eureka
Fabrizio Caragena, University of Nevada, Reno
Daniel D. Cook, USDA-ARS PPRL Logan, UT
Stephen T. Lee, USDA-ARS PPRL Logan, UT
Chris A. Pritsos, University of Nevada, Reno

Abstract

An outbreak of lupine alkaloid neurotoxicosis and death occurred in sheep grazed on rangeland areas of the Nevada Great Basin during the summer of 2023. Overall, 97 sheep died despite veterinary supportive care. Lupinus argenteus var. utahensis was implicated as the causative plant with high levels of lupanine (11.5 µg/mg) and spartiene (13.7 µg/mg) in collected and archived samples. Previous reports of sheep deaths due to lupine ingestion have not been recorded in this region. An increased abundance of the number plants producing seed pods having a high alkaloid content may have been associated with abnormally elevated levels of precipitation in the months leading to the event.

Corresponding Author

Benjamin J Weigler, DVM, MPH, Ph.D., DACLAM, DACVPM Senior Director and Attending Veterinarian – Office of Animal Resources / UNR Research & Innovation Adjunct Professor - Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences 1664 N. Virginia Street, MS340, Reno, NV 89557-8955 Tel. (775) 784-4874 Email: bweigler@unr.edu

Recommended Citation

Weigler, Benjamin J.; Mandeville, Walter F. III; Huber, Scott; McCuin, Gary; Caragena, Fabrizio; Cook, Daniel D.; Lee, Stephen T.; and Pritsos, Chris A. (2024) "Toxicosis from Range Lupine Ingestion in a Research Herd of Rafter 7 Merino Sheep," Poisonous Plant Research (PPR): Vol. 7, p. 10-14.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26077/1a49-f0ef
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/poisonousplantresearch/vol7/iss1/2