Elemental sulfur toxicosis in a flock of sheep.
Two thousand Panama X Rambouillet ewes from a flock of 2,200 developed signs of acute toxicosis after being moved to a field that had been sprayed 16 hours earlier with elemental sulfur. Acute signs were lethargy, abdominal discomfort, and prostration. Two hundred six (10%) of the affected ewes died within 24 hours. Polioencephalomalacia that was unresponsive to thiamine treatment developed in another 40 (2%) of the ewes; 28 (70%) of the ewes with polioencephalomalacia recovered. Sulfur is converted to hydrogen sulfide in the rumen. Signs of sulfur toxicosis are a result of absorption of hydrogen sulfide and interaction with the cytochrome system and hemoglobin. Sulfide is detoxified in the RBC and by the liver.
Bulgin
M S
MS
Department of Animal and Veterinary Science, Caine Veterinary Teaching and Research Center, University of Idaho, Caldwell 83605, USA.
Lincoln
S D
SD
Mather
G
G
D000818:Animals; D004678:Encephalomalacia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000378:metabolism; D012417:Rumen / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013455:Sulfur / Q000378:metabolism / Q000506:poisoning*
D013455:Sulfur; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide