FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Veterinary and human toxicology1992; 34(1); 66-70;

The veterinary importance of the toxic syndrome induced by ionophores.

Abstract: Monensin, lasalocid, salinomycin, narasin and maduramicin are carboxylic ionophores intended for use as anticoccidial drugs for poultry and as growth promotants for ruminants. Generally, ionophores have been found safe and effective in the target animals receiving recommended dosage levels. However, toxic syndromes can result from overdosage and misuse situations. More information and reports of adverse reactions are available for monensin than the other ionophores because of monensin's longstanding and widespread use in the poultry and livestock industries. Care must be exercised in the diagnosis of ionophore toxicoses since clinical signs and lesions are not pathognomic. However, a feed-related problem characterized clinically by anorexia, diarrhea, dyspnea, ataxia, depression, recumbency and death, and pathologically by focal degenerative cardiomyopathy, skeletal muscle necrosis, and congestive heart failure may warrant a presumptive diagnosis of ionophore toxicity. Confirmatory diagnosis will require considerations of differential diagnoses and laboratory assays to determine the specific ionophore involved. Presently, there is no antidote or treatment for toxicoses induced by the ionophores. Judicious use, avoidance of overdosing, and adherence to species recommendation will help prevent the occurrence of adverse effects associated with this class of compounds.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 1992-02-01 PubMed ID: 1621367
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study explores the toxicity risks that certain anticoccidial drugs, known as ionophores, can pose to domesticated animals. Although they are generally considered safe at the recommended dosages, overdose or misuse can result in dangerous and potentially fatal reactions.

Background on Ionophores

  • Ionophores are carboxylic drugs typically used as anticoccidial meds for poultry and growth enhancers for ruminants.
  • The most common ionophores are monensin, lasalocid, salinomycin, narasin, and maduramicin.
  • These medications are generally considered safe and effective for their intended uses when administered in the correct doses.

Ionophore Toxicity

  • If too much of an ionophore drug is given or it is given incorrectly, it can result in a toxic syndrome.
  • Monensin is the most widely reported ionophore associated with adverse reactions, likely due to its common usage in the poultry and livestock industry.
  • Clinical signs of ionophore toxicity in animals can include lack of appetite, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, lack of coordination, depression, difficulty standing or lying down, and in extreme cases, death.

Diagnosis of Ionophore Toxicity

  • Diagnosing ionophore toxicity is a challenge as symptoms and necropsy findings are not specific to the condition.
  • Presumptive diagnosis of ionophore toxicity might be considered if the animal’s food is linked to a health issue, and it presents with the typical symptoms, as well as cardiomyopathy, skeletal muscle necrosis, and heart failure upon necropsy.
  • A confirmatory diagnosis would need to consider differential diagnoses and laboratory testing to identify the specific ionophore involved.

Treatment for Ionophore Toxicity

  • There are currently no antidotes or treatments available for ionophore-induced toxicosis.
  • Prevention is key and can be achieved through careful administration of the drugs, strict adherence to recommended dosages, and only using drugs approved for the species in question.

Cite This Article

APA
Novilla MN. (1992). The veterinary importance of the toxic syndrome induced by ionophores. Vet Hum Toxicol, 34(1), 66-70.

Publication

Veterinary and human toxicology
ISSN: 0145-6296
NlmUniqueID: 7704194
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 34
Issue: 1
Pages: 66-70

Researcher Affiliations

Novilla, M N
  • Lilly Research Laboratories, Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Greenfield, Indiana 46140.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / chemically induced
  • Cattle Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cattle Diseases / pathology
  • Chickens
  • Coccidiostats / poisoning
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Horse Diseases / chemically induced
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Ionophores / poisoning
  • Poultry Diseases / chemically induced
  • Poultry Diseases / diagnosis
  • Poultry Diseases / pathology
  • Sheep

Citations

This article has been cited 17 times.
  1. Ahmadzadeh-Gavahan L, Hosseinkhani A, Palangi V, Lackner M. Supplementary Feed Additives Can Improve Lamb Performance in Terms of Birth Weight, Body Size, and Survival Rate. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 8;13(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13060993pubmed: 36978533google scholar: lookup
  2. Shen J, Zhang C, Zhang S, Chen F, Pei F, Zhou S, Lin H. Screening, isolation and mechanism of a nematicidal extract from actinomycetes against the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Heliyon 2022 Nov;8(11):e11713.
    doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11713pubmed: 36425437google scholar: lookup
  3. Calvo Alvarez E, D'Alessandro S, Proverbio D, Spada E, Perego R, Taramelli D, Basilico N, Parapini S. In Vitro Antiparasitic Activities of Monovalent Ionophore Compounds for Human and Canine Leishmaniases. Animals (Basel) 2022 Sep 8;12(18).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12182337pubmed: 36139198google scholar: lookup
  4. Tanaka Y, Tanabe E, Nonaka Y, Uemura M, Tajima T, Ochiai K. Ionophore Antibiotics Inhibit Type II Feline Coronavirus Proliferation In Vitro. Viruses 2022 Aug 6;14(8).
    doi: 10.3390/v14081734pubmed: 36016355google scholar: lookup
  5. Geisness AC, Azul M, Williams D, Szafraniec H, De Souza DC, Higgins JM, Wood DK. Ionophore-mediated swelling of erythrocytes as a therapeutic mechanism in sickle cell disease. Haematologica 2022 Jun 1;107(6):1438-1447.
    doi: 10.3324/haematol.2021.278666pubmed: 34706495google scholar: lookup
  6. Espinosa J, Ferreras MC, Benavides J, Cuesta N, Pérez C, García Iglesias MJ, García Marín JF, Pérez V. Causes of Mortality and Disease in Rabbits and Hares: A Retrospective Study. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jan 17;10(1).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10010158pubmed: 31963407google scholar: lookup
  7. Sayrafi R, Mirzakhani N, Mobaseri R. Effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and vitamin E on histopathological lesions induced in bursa of Fabricius of broiler chicks by salinomycin. Vet Res Forum 2017 Summer;8(3):231-236.
    pubmed: 29085611
  8. Ashrafihelan J, Eisapour H, Erfani AM, Kalantary AA, Amoli JS, Mozafari M. High mortality due to accidental salinomycin intoxication in sheep. Interdiscip Toxicol 2014 Sep;7(3):173-6.
    doi: 10.2478/intox-2014-0024pubmed: 26109896google scholar: lookup
  9. Deljou M, Aslani MR, Mohri M, Movassaghi AR, Heidarpour M. Clinical, laboratory and pathological findings in sub-acute monensin intoxication in goats. Vet Res Forum 2014 Summer;5(3):161-7.
    pubmed: 25568713
  10. Zahr R, Saeed D, Fumoto H, Horai T, Shalli S, Anzai T, Arakawa Y, Dessoffy R, Catanese J, Massiello A, Litwak KN, Fukamachi K. A pilot study for inducing chronic heart failure in calves by means of oral monensin. Int J Biomed Sci 2010 Mar;6(1):1-7.
    pubmed: 23675169
  11. Meister S, Plouffe DM, Kuhen KL, Bonamy GM, Wu T, Barnes SW, Bopp SE, Borboa R, Bright AT, Che J, Cohen S, Dharia NV, Gagaring K, Gettayacamin M, Gordon P, Groessl T, Kato N, Lee MC, McNamara CW, Fidock DA, Nagle A, Nam TG, Richmond W, Roland J, Rottmann M, Zhou B, Froissard P, Glynne RJ, Mazier D, Sattabongkot J, Schultz PG, Tuntland T, Walker JR, Zhou Y, Chatterjee A, Diagana TT, Winzeler EA. Imaging of Plasmodium liver stages to drive next-generation antimalarial drug discovery. Science 2011 Dec 9;334(6061):1372-7.
    doi: 10.1126/science.1211936pubmed: 22096101google scholar: lookup
  12. Omidi A, Aslani MR, Movassaghi AR, Mohri M, Dadfar M. Accidental salinomycin intoxication in calves. Can Vet J 2010 Oct;51(10):1143-5.
    pubmed: 21197208
  13. Pakozdy A, Challande-Kathman I, Doherr M, Cizinauskas S, Wheeler SJ, Oevermann A, Jaggy A. Retrospective study of salinomycin toxicosis in 66 cats. Vet Med Int 2010;2010:147142.
    doi: 10.4061/2010/147142pubmed: 20445777google scholar: lookup
  14. Dubuc J, Baril J, DesCôteaux L. [The use of monensin premix in dairy cows: simple and essential steps for ensuring its proper use]. Can Vet J 2009 Jun;50(6):617-9.
    pubmed: 19721781
  15. Van Assen EJ. A case of salinomycin intoxication in turkeys. Can Vet J 2006 Mar;47(3):256-8.
    pubmed: 16604983
  16. Gonzalez M, Barkema HW, Keefe GP. Monensin toxicosis in a dairy herd. Can Vet J 2005 Oct;46(10):910-2.
    pubmed: 16454383
  17. Reams R, Thacker HL, Novilla M, Laska D, Horn J, Harrington D, Greenlee W, Vesonder R. Development of an L6 myoblast in vitro model of moniliformin toxicosis. Mycopathologia 1996;133(2):105-14.
    doi: 10.1007/BF00439121pubmed: 8751829google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 100,113 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.