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Increased reports of fatal renal disease in Iowa feedlots

Increased cases of fatal renal damage—kidney failure—are being reported in Iowa cattle feedlots.

Iowa State University veterinary toxicologist Dr. Steve Ensley says the first cases started showing up about a year ago.

“The first cases we saw were actually in western Illinois, and then we saw those in southern Iowa,” Ensley says, “and now in the last, I’d say, four to five months, they’ve been more widespread in Iowa.”

Ensley says, historically, plants are the top cause of kidney failure in ruminant animals. He says they’re looking at certain weeds, but are also investigating cover crops.

“Brassicas are an issue—radishes, turnips—you know, maybe there’s some management changes that have occurred in the last few years that maybe have contributed to what this issue is,” he says

But Ensley says they’re also considering other possible causes, such as injectable compounds, distillers grains, other feed ingredients, and even water.

Another question they’re asking, Ensley says, is when does the renal damage occur.

“Is it possible that it occurs in smaller animals and then we don’t see the clinical signs until they get larger—you know, until their body weight gets large enough where it exceeds the capacity of that kidney that had some damage.”

Ensley says, so far, the incidence of the disease in most feedlots is very low, often with just a single animal in a pen showing clinical signs at any one time. But he says some feedlots have experienced higher rates of the disease.

There are no food safety issues associated with the disease, Ensley says.

Link to Iowa Beef Center web site for more information

AUDIO: Dr. Steve Ensley