Accidental intra-auricular artery injection of ceftiofur in two beef steers

Abstract

Two beef steers accidentally injected into a branch of the auricular artery with an oil-based formulation of ceftiofur died within 5 minutes of injection. Notable pathologic findings included distention and obstruction of cerebral and cerebellar arteries by a whitish tan material and hemorrhages within meningeal spaces, the choroid plexus, cerebrum, and cerebellum. Lipid material was identified within cerebral blood vessels in frozen sections stained with oil red O. This report describes an unusual case of brain ischemia in beef cattle.