Bovine Enzootic Haematuria on Sao Miguel Island - Azores

摘要

Bovine enzootic haematuria (BEH) is a severe chronic, non-infectious disease caused by prolonged ingestion of bracken fern (Pteridium spp.), which is toxic in all its parts. It is characterized by the development of inflammatory and neoplastic lesionsof the inner wall of the urinary bladder and clinically by intermittent haematuria and death due to anaemia (Radostits et al., 1994). Cattle over 1 year of age can be affected but the disease occurs most commonly in animals over 4 years old. Urinary bladder tumours (UBT) are the main lesional feature of BEH. These neoplastic structures are identified during routine post-mortem meat inspection at the sole Sao Miguel Island slaughterhouse. Since October 1996, all urinary bladders from slaughtered cattlehave been opened to look for lesions present on the inner surface of the bladder.