loco disease: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialized/Veterinary
Quick answer
What does “loco disease” mean?
A nervous disease in livestock, especially cattle and horses, caused by chronic poisoning from certain locoweeds (plants of the genera Astragalus and Oxytropis), characterized by aimless wandering, loss of coordination, erratic behaviour, and emaciation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A nervous disease in livestock, especially cattle and horses, caused by chronic poisoning from certain locoweeds (plants of the genera Astragalus and Oxytropis), characterized by aimless wandering, loss of coordination, erratic behaviour, and emaciation.
The term is sometimes used figuratively to describe irrational or crazy behaviour in people, but this is a non-technical, metaphorical extension of the primary veterinary meaning. It is not a standard psychological or medical term for humans.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally used in British and American English within veterinary and agricultural contexts, but is geographically relevant only in regions where locoweed grows (e.g., western North America). No significant linguistic differences.
Connotations
Technical and regional in both varieties.
Frequency
Very low general frequency; confined to specialist discourse. Slightly more common in American English due to the prevalence of the problem in the western United States.
Grammar
How to Use “loco disease” in a Sentence
The cattle have/developed/suffered from loco disease.Loco disease is caused by...Vets are studying an outbreak of loco disease.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “loco disease” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The loco-diseased herd was quarantined.
- A loco-disease diagnosis is serious.
American English
- The loco-diseased cattle were isolated.
- Loco-disease symptoms include trembling.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in agricultural business reports concerning livestock health and financial losses.
Academic
Used in veterinary science, botany, and agricultural research papers.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Possibly used by farmers/ranchers in affected regions.
Technical
Primary domain: veterinary medicine, toxicology, range management.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “loco disease”
- Using it as a synonym for general insanity in humans.
- Misspelling as 'locco disease' or 'loco decease'.
- Confusing it with 'loco' as a slang term for 'crazy'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'loco disease' is a veterinary term specific to livestock poisoning. Humans are not affected in the same clinical way, though the plants can be toxic.
There is no specific antidote. Treatment involves removing the animal from the source of the locoweed and providing supportive care. Neurological damage may be permanent.
No, they are completely different. Mad cow disease (BSE) is a prion disease, while loco disease is a plant poisoning. Both affect the nervous system but have different causes and pathologies.
It is found primarily in rangelands of western North America (USA, Canada, Mexico) and parts of South America where locoweeds (Astragalus and Oxytropis species) grow.
A nervous disease in livestock, especially cattle and horses, caused by chronic poisoning from certain locoweeds (plants of the genera Astragalus and Oxytropis), characterized by aimless wandering, loss of coordination, erratic behaviour, and emaciation.
Loco disease is usually specialized/veterinary in register.
Loco disease: in British English it is pronounced /ˈləʊ.kəʊ dɪˌziːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈloʊ.koʊ dɪˌziz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Figurative, rare] He's acting like he's got loco disease. (meaning: behaving irrationally)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Loco in Spanish means 'crazy' + disease. Remember: 'Crazy disease' from a 'crazy-making' weed.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISEASE IS MADNESS / POISON IS INSANITY (The substance causes a state resembling madness).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary cause of loco disease?