Arsenic cattle poisoning

One of the earliest cattle problems involved widespread poisoning of cattle by arsenic at the turn of the century. Abnormal intake of arsenic results in severe colic (salivation, thirst, vomiting), diarrhea, bloody feces, and a garliclike odor on the breath cirrhosis of the liver and spleen as well as reproductive effects may be noted. Arsenic trioxide in the feed must be approximately 10 mg/kg body weight for these effects to occur. 

Samad, M.A. and A. Chowdhury. 1984. Clinical cases of arsenic poisoning in cattle. Indian Jour. Vet. Med. 4 107-108. 

Pollution of the atmosphere is a frequent cause of trouble thus in 1929 the cattle dipping truck yards at Julia Creek, Queensland, were removed owing to contamination of the town atmosphere, dust samples from which disclosed 10 to 12 parts of arsenic per million.3 Chronic poisoning has also resulted from the inhalation of the fumes liberated on burning mosquito incense made from orpiment and sawdust.4 A systematic clinical and X-ray examination of furnace workers at the arsenic works at Freiberg, Saxony, revealed that the majority suffered from pustular and eczematous conditions of the skin and 80 per cent, showed ulceration and perforation of the septum of the nose, in spite of the provision of sponge respirators and protective clothing 5 arsenic was present in the hair and nails. 

Arsenic salts and arsines are extremely toxic, and uses of arsenic compounds in weedkillers, sheep- and cattle-dips, and poisons against vermin are less widespread than was once the case (see Box 14.1). Antimony compounds are less toxic, but large doses result in liver damage. Potassium antimony tartrate tartar emetic) was used medicinally as an emetic and expectorant but has now been replaced by less toxic reagents. Bismuth is one of the less toxic heavy metals and compounds, such as the subcarbonate (Bi0)2C03, find use in stomach remedies including treatments for peptic ulcers. 

Actions and Uses.—Internally —Irritant, corrosive, and antacid. Given chiefly to cattle, as an antacid in indigestion, diarrhoea, and tympanitis. Sometimes employed as an antidote to poisoning by arsenic and irritant acids. 

Episodes of wildlife poisoning by arsenic are infrequent. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) consumed, by licking, fatal amounts of sodium arsenite used to debark trees. The practice of debarking trees with arsenicals for commercial use has been almost completely replaced by mechanical debarking equipment. In another incident, white-tailed deer were found dead of arsenic poisoning in a northern New York forest and had 102.0 mg As/kg FW in liver and 56.0 mg As/kg FW in kidney these tissue concentrations are 2-3 times higher than those in cattle... 

Arsenic salts and arsines are extremely toxic, and uses of arsenic compounds in weedkillers, sheep- and cattle-dips, and poisons against vermin are less widespread than was... 

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