Vol. 10, Issue 4, Part E (2025)

Author(s): K Vijayakaran, K Jayalakshmi, R Lakshmi and A Vijayarajan

Abstract: Piperazine is a widely used and generally safe anthelmintic in livestock, particularly effective against ascarid infections. However, cases of toxicity due to over dosage are rarely reported in young calves. This article documents the first known case of piperazine toxicity and its successful clinical management in a 20-day-old non-descript dairy calf. The calf was presented with neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms following an accidental overdose of piperazine citrate administered by the owner without veterinary consultation. Based on clinical signs and treatment history, a diagnosis of acute piperazine toxicity was made. The calf was treated symptomatically and marked improvement was observed within hours and complete recovery occurred within 24 hours. This case highlights the risks associated with unsupervised drug administration in livestock and underscores the importance of rational drug use, accurate dosing and veterinary involvement in animal health management.