‘Kweek Tremors’, Cynodum dactylon
By Dr Mackie Hobson BSc(Agric),BVSc

Reported in sheep and calves in the OFS and Highveld.

Clinical signs:

Clinical signs start after 1-2 days. Muscle tremors, ataxia, paresis. Walk with stiff hind legs and a short choppy gait and often lift legs high. Nodding of head, side-ways movement Morbidity varies 5-35%.

Signs often precipitated by exercise.

Lie in sternal position and eat and drink.

Condition seldom fatal.

Treatment:

 May recover after a couple of days but may last weeks.

Reference:

Plant Poisonings and Mycotoxicoses of livestock in Southern Africa (Kellerman, Coetzer, Naude)