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This article was published in 1962
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INSTITUTE OF INSPECTORS OF STOCK OF N.S.W. YEAR BOOK.
Suspected "1080" Poisoning in Sheep
R. E. EVERETT, B.V.Sc., Veterinary Officer, Dubbo
On 15/5/62 a mortality in sheep was investigated at the request of, and in conjunction with, the Rabbit Inspector, Condobolin.
The sheep had been pastured in a paddock of approximately 1,800 acres, which had been poisoned previously with carrot and 1080. The bait had been laid in a trail of approximately 20 miles and immediately afterwards had been covered over by a light disc plough; after which the sheep were placed in the paddock, No trouble was noted for four weeks. Then a light shower of 15 points of rain was followed on the next day by mortality of approximately 20 ewes and lambs; while a few other sheep were seen to be intoxicated. The owner, suspecting 1080 poisoning, immediately removed the majority of the sheep into another paddock. The follow ing day, these sheep were inspected by the Rabbit Inspector and the owner, who found three dead lambs and one ewe unable to stand.
The property was visited by the writer on the same day. The sick ewe was found to be dead, and on post-mortem the only lesions were a few petechiae on the ventricles of the heart. No evidence of carrot was found in the stomach. Several other sheep which had died during that and the previous day also were examined, but in none of these was there any evidence of carrot. However, in one sheep which had died with apparent convulsions there was found some material which was thought to have been dried rabbit gut.
The trail was inspected and some dry pieces of carrot were found scattered along it, despite the covering by the disc.
For this reason a tentative diagnosis of 1080 poisoning was made.
The following day, 16/5/62, the owner was contacted by phone and it was learned that there had been no further deaths, and that one slightly affected lamb had recovered fully. The owner had mustered the poisoned paddock again to collect approximately twelve sheep which had been left behind. While he was doing so he noticed one ewe following the trail and apparently eating. When disturbed the ewe acted in an unusual manner. When this animal was killed and opened, the rumen was found to contain several pieces of carrot.
This was accepted as some confirmation of the diagnosis of 1080 Poisoning.
In the meantime, work had been commenced with a heavy blade to cover the trail completely; that no further opportunity for confirmation was possible.
In actual fact, it was noted that the poisoning of the particular paddock had been very successful in eradicating the rabbits; but the sheep losses now reported demonstrate again the care which must be taken in allowing stock access to an area where "1080" has been used.