Gossypol Poisoning

  • Occurs due to consumption of cottonseed or cottonseed products that contain ex­cess free gossypol and can affect high-producing dairy cows with high feed intake.
  • Also affect other mature ruminants fed excess gossypol for long periods of time.

 

SYMPTOMS

  • Irregular cycling in cows and buffaloes, reduced libido in males.
  • Weight loss, weakness, anorexia, and susceptibility to stress.
  • Adult dairy cattle may show weakness, depression, anorexia, edema of the brisket, and dyspnea, and also have gastroenteritis, hemoglobinuria, and reproductive problems.

 

CONTROL

  • Remove cottonseed products from the diet immediately. Severely affected animals may still die even 2 weeks after stopping feeding of cottonseed products.
  • Poor weight gains in affected livestock and increased susceptibility to stress may persist for several weeks after cottonseed products are removed from the diet.
  • A high-quality diet supplemented with lysine, methionine, and fat-soluble vitamins should be included in supportive therapy.
  • Consult a veterinarian for further advise

 

           ANIMAL HEALTH GROUP, NATIONAL DAIRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, ANAND