Effect of potassium cyanide on behaviour and time to death in possums.
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.
Gregory
N G
NG
Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Milne
L M
LM
Rhodes
A T
AT
Littin
K E
KE
Wickstrom
M
M
Eason
C T
CT