title: Effect of potassium cyanide on behaviour and time to death in possums.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the sickness behaviours of possums after eating a lethal dose of potassium cyanide.
  
  
  METHODS
  Spontaneous behaviour and the time to loss of physical responses were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cyanide ingestion caused a short-lasting period of mild respiratory stimulation. There was no salivation, retching or vomiting. Convulsions occurred in 73% of the possums. After the ingestion of cyanide, the average time to onset of ataxia was 3 minutes, the average time to overall loss of consciousness was 6.5 minutes, and the time to cessation of breathing was 18 minutes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cyanide is a rapid-acting toxin with few undesirable signs from the welfare perspective.
authors: Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors: N G
authors: NG
authors: Gregory
authors: L M
authors: LM
authors: Milne
authors: A T
authors: AT
authors: Rhodes
authors: K E
authors: KE
authors: Littin
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Wickstrom
authors: C T
authors: CT
authors: Eason