Evaluation of the toxicity of Adonis aestivalis in calves.

Toxicosis of Adonis aestivalis is well documented in horses, but little is known of its toxicity in cattle. A. aestivalis (summer pheasant's eye) was collected over multiple years, under different growing conditions, and at various stages of maturity, dried, and administered to calves to evaluate the toxicity of A. aestivalis in cattle. Four 300-lb Holstein, and 2 90-lb, preruminating Jersey calves were administered 1% body weight of ground A. aestivalis via a stomach tube and monitored for clinical signs for 2 weeks and 1 week, respectively. The Holstein calves were then fed 0.2 to 1% body weight A. aestivalis daily for 4 to 5 weeks. The Holstein calves had transient, mild cardiac abnormalities during the feeding trial. Mild, transient gastrointestinal and cardiac signs were noted in the preruminating calves. No gross or microscopic lesions were seen on necropsies performed at the end of the study. Based on the results of this study, cattle do not appear to be as susceptible to toxicosis from A. aestivalis as other species, such as horses and pigs.