DISTRICT vets with the Riverina Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) are warning producers of the livestock health risks associated with sheep grazing summer weeds, such as hairy panic.
According to Riverina LHPA vet Gabe Morrice, Narrandera, summer rain has increased the growth of hairy panic (Panicum effusum) in the Riverina district.
"As a result, several cases of hairy panic poisoning in lambs have been reported during the past few days," she said.
"It contains a plant toxin which causes liver damage and secondary photosensitisation - a condition in which the skin becomes sensitive to sunlight and results in it becoming red, weepy and swollen.
"Often affected animals will have droopy ears and eyes that are shut due to swollen eyelids. Mouths will become swollen and tender, causing difficulty in eating in some cases.
"Affected animals are often agitated, seek shade and lose their appetite."
Dr Morrice said measures can be taken to assist animals to recover from hairy panic poisoning.
"In all cases, if photosensitisation is occurring, the stock should be removed off the affected feed and provide them with shade (ideally place them in a darkened shed). Provide affected stock with cereal hay or lower quality pasture hay with no green colour," Dr Morrice said.
"High protein feeds should be avoided due to the liver damage. In severe cases, antibiotic treatment is necessary to avoid secondary infections. Seek veterinary assistance for diagnosis and treatment advice.
"The same problem can sometimes occur with stock eating heliotrope, caltrop/catheads or fungal affected lupins."
Hairy panic is a summer growing grass which lambs tend to be attracted to because of the palatable green feed it offers them during the summer months.
Its leaves are a dull green with distinctive glandular hairs over the leaf margin.
