Hemoglobinuria Syndrome in a Postpartum Lactating Ewe Associated with Chronic cabbage (Brassica oleracea) Waste Ingestion

Background: Hemoglobinuria in ruminants can arise from toxic, infectious, or metabolic causes. Brassica species such as cabbage (Brassica oleracea) contain S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (SMCO), which ruminal microbes metabolize to dimethyl disulfide—a potent oxidant that induces intravascular hemolysis, particularly under conditions of physiological stress. Methods: A ۴-year-old indigenous ewe, ۱۵ days postpartum, was examined in late January during subfreezing temperatures after presenting with one week of anorexia and weight loss. For the preceding three months, her diet consisted of daytime cabbage waste supplemented at night with barley grain, straw, and dry discarded bread. Drinking water was provided ad libitum. Clinical examination, hematology, serum biochemistry, and urinalysis were performed. Results: The ewe was hypothermic and exhibited severe mucous membrane pallor, tachycardia, and red-tinged urine. Hematological analysis revealed severe regenerative anemia (PCV: ۱۴%; Hb: ۴.۸ g/dL; RBC: ۴.۶ × ۱۰⁶/µL). Reddish plasma and non-sedimenting red urine confirmed intravascular hemolysis with hemoglobinuria. Serum biochemistry showed phosphorus at ۵.۸۹ mg/dL, calcium at ۷.۵ mg/dL, glucose at ۱۰۳ mg/dL, and AST at ۹۸.۸ IU/L. Conclusion: Leptospirosis and babesiosis were considered unlikely due to winter conditions and the absence of arthropod vectors. Normal serum phosphorus levels ruled out hypophosphatemic hemolysis. The continuous availability of drinking water helped exclude osmotic or toxic water-related etiologies. Chronic ingestion of cabbage waste under the metabolic demands of early lactation likely precipitated SMCO-induced hemolytic hemoglobinuria. This case underscores the toxic potential of unregulated Brassica by-product feeding in ruminants and highlights the need for evidence-based dietary management in smallholder livestock systems.

کلیدواژه ها:

Hemoglobinuria ، Brassica toxicity ، S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide ، ovine hemolysis ، postpartum ewe waste ، intravascular hemolysis