CHRONIC FLUOROSIS IN CATTLE DUE TO THE INGESTION OF A COMMERCIAL LICK

A year after introduction of a lick known to contain a commercial phos phorous source intended for agronomical purposes, approximately 2% adu lt cattle from a herd numbering 120 animals, were observed to show sig ns of lameness. Four years later, this prevalence had increased to 5% but teeth abnormalities were evident in 70-80% of animals. The average fluoride concentration of 5 coccygeal bone samples from 4-year old an imals was 6,94x10(3) mg kg(1). A water and pasture sample contained 0, 03 ppm and 0,3 ppm fluoride respectively. These values suggested that the lick was responsible for th clinical signs of chronic fluororis in the herd.