Zinc phosphide intoxication of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo).
Zinc phosphide (Zn3P2) is a rodenticide used to control a variety of small mammal species. It is available over-the-counter or as a restricted-use pesticide depending on how it is to be applied. The toxicity of Zn3P2 is dependent on the species exposed, whether the animal is able to vomit or not, and whether it is ingested on a full or empty stomach. Nontarget species can be exposed through inadvertent or intentional product misapplication. In this article we describe four mortality events in which wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were believed to have been intoxicated following the ingestion of baits containing Zn3P2.
Poppenga
Robert H
RH
The Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System at New Bolton Center and the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348, USA. rhpoppenga@ucdavis.edu
Ziegler
Andre F
AF
Habecker
Perry L
PL
Singletary
Don L
DL
Walter
Mark K
MK
Miller
Paul G
PG
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000401:mortality*; D002423:Cause of Death; D010720:Phosphines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D012378:Rodenticides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014422:Turkeys; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*
D010720:Phosphines; D012378:Rodenticides; D017967:Zinc Compounds; C009701:zinc phosphide