Slaframine Toxicosis in Large Animals

Slaframine toxicosis can be caused by the ingestion of forages, particularly clovers, that are infected with the fungus Slafractonia leguminicola (formerly Rhizoctonia leguminicola), which produces the toxic alkaloid slaframine.

Profuse ptyalism is often the only clinical sign of slaframine toxicosis. Affected animals show no evidence of oral ulceration or other oral lesions. Ptyalism resolves after the animal has been removed from the affected forage.

Differential diagnoses for slaframine toxicosis in large animals (particularly ruminants) include bluetongue, vesicular stomatitis, and foot-and-mouth disease.