LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS OF ZINC PHOSPHIDE POISONING

Zinc phosphide, a readily-available rodenticide, poses a significant r isk for intoxication in animals. Animals have been poisoned by ingesti ng treated bait or the carcasses of poisoned rodents. Toxicity is due to the liberation of phosphine gas in the stomach. Clinical signs incl ude central nervous system excitation, depression and vomition. Simila rities of clinical signs with other central nervous system toxicants m ake the diagnosis difficult without a specific diagnostic test. The pr ocedure outlined in this paper detects phosphine liberated from zinc p hosphide by the addition of hydrochloric acid as well as the phosphine previously generated by contact with stomach acid.