TOXICITY OF COMPOUND-1080 LIVESTOCK PROTECTION COLLARS TO SHEEP

The toxicity of Compound 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) livestock protect ion collars (LPCs) to sheep was investigated. Lambs wearing punctured LPCs were observed to determine dermal toxicity, sheep were fed hay tr eated with LPC solution to find a lethal concentration, hay treated wi th a lethal concentration was subjected to sun and simulated rain to a ssess weathering influences, and sheep were held on pasture treated wi th LPC solution to evaluate grazing effects. Five lambs that wore punc tured LPCs for up to seven days showed no dermal erythema or edema, bu t three died after ingesting 1080 from LPCs. All sheep died after eati ng 1.0 kg of hay treated with 3.75 ml, or more, of 1.0% LPC solution. Weathering 1.0 kg of hay treated with 3.75 ml of LPC solution in the s un for up to 12 weeks, reduced, but did not eliminate, toxicity; one i nch or more of simulated rain eliminated toxicity. Survival of sheep i n 250 m(2) pens containing 1.1 m(2) of forage treated with different a mounts of LPC solution depended on the treatment and amount of treated forage consumed. LPC solution poses no dermal toxicity or irritation to sheep, and toxic effects on sheep from LPC solution on hay and fora ge was variable and situation dependent. Under conditions of exaggerat ed hazard, sheep can be poisoned by ingesting LPC solution, but advers e effects from normal LPC use are rare.