We determined the vasoconstrictive effects of selected ergot alkaloids, and a sample containing loline and its derivative alkaloids, on the isolated dorsal pedal vein of cattle, as a model system to study one of the toxic effects that result from cattle ingesting fescue forage infected with the endophytic fungus Acremonium coenophialum. The ergot compounds ergotamine, ergosine, and agroclavine constricted this peripheral vein of cattle, but much less so than did the alpha-adrenergic agonist norepinephrine, which supports the ergots acting as partial agonists for these receptors. However, the sample of loline and loline-derivative alkaloids did not affect the dorsal pedal vein when given at concentrations similar to those of the ergot compounds. Loline and loline-derivative alkaloid sample at high concentrations partially inhibited norepinephrine-elicited vascular contraction, an effect that appeared to be unrelated to alpha-adrenoceptor activity. Thus, in the dorsal pedal vein model in cattle, the ergopeptide alkaloids were more venoconstrictive than were loline and its derivative alkaloids.

In addition to the 3-striped blister beetles (Epicauta temexa and E occidentalis), other sources of equine cantharidin toxicosis were identified at the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory and included E albida and E attrivittata and the previously incriminated E pardalis and E pennsylvanica. Improved methods for diagnosing cantharidin or blister beetle toxicosis involve partial purification of urine and gastric content extracts, using silica cartridges, followed by analysis, using capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. During a 26-month period, 53 episodes of cantharidin toxicosis in horses were confirmed at our diagnostic laboratory. Concentrations of cantharidin in urine and gastric contents ranged from 0.0003 to 3.50 microgram/g. Peak incidences were observed in late summer and early fall.

Five Collies sensitive to toxic effects of ivermectin and 7 nonsensitive Collies were given 100 microgram of ivermectin/kg of body weight, PO. Blood samples were collected from each dog before treatment; at posttreatment hours 1, 2, 3.5, 5, and 8; and at posttreatment days 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, and 21. Each sample was assayed for ivermectin concentration, and statistical analyses were performed on the resulting plasma concentration data to determine differences in absorption and clearance of drugs between the 2 groups. Variables measured were area under the curve (using the trapezoidal rule), peak plasma concentration, and the time to peak concentration. Differences between sensitive and nonsensitive Collies for variables analyzed were not significant (P greater than 0.05).