Arsenic poisoning of a beef cattle herd

摘要

Arsenic poisoning should still be considered as a possible cause of sudden death in cattle. Inspection of the environment as well as questioning the herd owner about exposure to the ashes of burned CCA treated wood may be helpful in diagnosing arsenic poisoning quickly. In peracute cases of arsenic poisoning, there may be very few gross lesions found on necropsy. Tissue samples for arsenic analysis should include liver and kidney. Abomasal and rumen content should also be analyzed for arsenic. Client education on the proper disposal of CCA treated wood and the toxic potential of buming this type of wood should be discussed Clients should also be discouraged from dumping trash, junk, or ashes in areas where cattle reside. Additionally, new environmentally sensitive pressure treated wood products that do not contain arsenic are now available and should be considered in construction of new outdoor structures. Finally, meat and milk from cattle suspected of having ingested arsenic should be considered unfit for human consumption.