ARCHIVE FILE
This article was published in 1956
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INSTITUTE OF INSPECTORS OF STOCK OF N.S.W. YEAR BOOK.
SUSPECTED ARSENIC POISONING OF CATTLE
Another Interesting Incidence
D. W. DUNCAN, B.V.Sc., Inspector of Stock, Gundagai.
HISTORY: An owner reported the death of two Shorthorn-cross heifers, about 18 months old, running with thirty other cattle in a native grass paddock. The cattle had died in a dam after an illness of very short duration; during which they exhibited staggers and arching of the back.
A visit was paid to the holding about one week after the deaths, and the day after the mortality was reported.
Questioning the owner revealed that the heifers were prone to graze together; having been raised together at the homestead as poddies. They usually were seen away from the other cattle.
EXAMINATION: An inspection of the herd revealed no other animals showing any signs of ill-health. The owner was asked if he knew of any source of metallic poison in the paddock and he recalled that there were some empty tins which he believed had contained arsenical weedicide. These tins had been left in the paddock some three years prior to the mortality.
On examination, it was found that amongst the empty tins there had been left, inadvertently, two full ones; and that one of the tins full of weedicide had been punctured, presumably by a rifle bullet. There was a "lick hole" 18" in diameter by about 9" deep where the cattle had licked the soil into which the arsenical solution had soaked after escaping from the container. The sides of the hole showed deposits of salt.
DISCUSSION: Many "slants" have been presented on that hardy annual which is Arsenical Poisoning; and from which it was concluded that the cattle in this case had died. The two heifers running together must have located the arsenic-soaked soil unnoticed by the other cattle. As no other cattle had died in the paddock prior to preventive measures being taken, and none thereafter, it appears that the owner was fortunate that it was not beast of the main mob which located the poison in the first instance.