Sources and Symptoms of Animal Poisoning

2. Soil Imbalances

Selenium

• Occurs when livestock consume high selenium content in forage on alkali soil found on Great Plains of U.S., western Canada and Mexico.
• In its most severe form, causes blindness and staggering. Can also cause cracked hooves and lameness.
• Soil testing recommended for diagnosis.

Molybdenum

• Caused by imbalance in copper/molybdenum ratios in soil, most common in western U.S.
• Ruminants, especially young cattle, are most susceptible.
• Causes severe scours and emaciation.

3. Feed Contamination

Gossypol

• Excess pigment found in cottonseed products causes cumulative toxicity.
• Immature ruminants and pigs are most susceptible.
• Prolonged exposure causes weight loss, weakness and loss of appetite.

Ammonia

• Caused by abrupt addition of feed-grade urea or ammonium salts to the ruminant diet.
• Mature ruminants are most susceptible, as they convert nonprotein nitrogen to ammonia, which is toxic.
• Causes muscle tremors, weakness, difficulty breathing and death.

Mycotoxins

• Worldwide problem caused by ingestion of moldy feed, corn, or certain varieties of mold-infected pasture grass and forage (e.g., fescue grass, rye, sweet clover).
• All species of livestock, horses and poultry are susceptible.
• Wide variety of signs are possible, including lameness, paralysis, listlessness, jaundice and internal bleeding.
• Feed analysis required to confirm toxicosis.

Fluoride

• Found in feed-grade phosphates, well water with high levels of fluorine or airborne factory waste.
• Usually requires long-term exposure and results in abnormalities of the skeleton and teeth.
• Signs may include mottling and staining of the teeth or softening of bones.

Copper

• Usually the result of improperly formulated mineral mixes or certain plants causing mineral imbalances.
• Primarily affects sheep.
• Signs are related to liver damage and include diarrhea, pain, dehydration, jaundice and blood in the urine.

Canthardin

• Caused by blister beetles, primarily in the southwestern U.S.
• Beetles swarm in alfalfa hay during harvesting and are ingested by horses, sheep or cattle.
• Signs include salivation due to oral ulcers, abdominal pain, shock and blood in the urine.

4. Farm Supplies

Lead

• Very common culprit in farm animal poisonings.
• Found in paint, batteries, grease and used motor oil.
• Most common in cattle and dogs, but all animals may be affected.
• Symptoms include dullness, lack of coordination, blindness or convulsions.

Coal Tar

• Found in tar paper, creosote-treated wood, clay pigeons and tarbased flooring.
• Pigs often affected after chewing treated wooden farrowing crates; cats are very sensitive as well.
• Neurological signs, weakness, collapse and sudden death are often seen.
• May also cause decreased growth rate in young pigs.

5. Household Poisons

Chocolate 

• The obromin in unsweetened baker’s chocolate can cause severe illness; cases usually involve dogs.
• Five ounces of baker’s chocolate can be fatal to a 20-pound canine.
• Typical signs are nervousness, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and occasionally coma.

Houseplants

• Most often involves holiday poisonings of kittens and puppies chewing on poinsettias, Easter lilies, mistletoe, philodendrons, spider plants and others.
• Signs vary widely, but often include vomiting and neurological symptoms
• Toxicity varies greatly among individual plants.

Cleaning Supplies and Medications

• Bored, young or inquisitive dogs may chew through plastic bottles and pill containers.
• Most household cleaners will cause severe vomiting and diarrhea.
• Tylenol, Advil, Aleve and other over-the-counter medications may be toxic and potentially fatal to cats and dogs.