Bovine arsenic toxicosis from ingestion of ashed copper-chrome-arsenate treated timber.
Arsenic toxicosis is reported in a variety of animal species. It occurs most commonly in cattle and ranks second only to lead as a cause of heavy metal poisoning. We describe a case of arsenic toxicosis attributable to ingestion of ashes from burned posts treated with an arsenic-containing preservative. Burning of the posts concentrated the arsenic and rendered lethal a product normally used around livestock. Lack of normal salt supplementation to the herd was conducive to pica-like behavior and ingestion of toxic ashes. Rapid diagnosis led to removal of the arsenic source and limited losses to 4 cows.
Hullinger
G
G
Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Tifton 31793, USA.
Sangster
L
L
Colvin
B
B
Frazier
K
K
D000818:Animals; D001149:Arsenates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000506:poisoning; D020261:Arsenic Poisoning; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002857:Chromium / Q000737:chemistry*; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects; D014934:Wood
D001149:Arsenates; D002857:Chromium; C040890:chromated copper arsenate; D003300:Copper