LEAD ARSENATE POISONING IN A HERD OF BEEF-CATTLE

Lead arsenate poisoning was diagnosed in 2 beef heifers and was suspec ted in 6 other cattle from the same herd that had died greviously and were not examined. Clinical signs in affected cattle included staggeri ng, dehydration, hemorrhage, acidemia, and shock. Diagnosis was by ars enic and lead analysis of urine samples and kidney and liver tissue di gests. Both examined heifers died within 4 days of onset of clinical s igns. These cattle had been moved from an area with poor grazing condi tions to a pasture with abundant forage, This pasture had an open shed that contained an open sack of lead arsenate insecticide. Old stores of this inorganic insecticide may still exist on farms or ranches, and are a hazard to livestock.