An Investigation of an arsenic poisoning case

Abstract

After lead, arsenic constitutes one of the most important toxicological hazards to farm animals. Arsenic is rather ubiquitous in nature, and trace or background levels can be found normally in nearly all animal and plant tissues. Arsenical compounds have been used for a variety of purposes, including for treatment of disease, as feed additives to promote weight gains, and as herbicides, cotton defoliants and appetite stimulants.

Toxicity varies with the species of animal exposed, the formulation of the arsenical, the route of exposure, and factors affecting rate of metabolism and excretion. It has long been known that most animals except the rat and man rapidly excrete arsenic.

Arsenic poisoning in cattle is manifested by acute or subacute syndrome, and chronic poisoning has not been clearly documented. Veterinary diagnostic laboratories have found that if an animal survives the acute crisis and lives for several days after consuming a toxic dose of arsenic, then the liver and kidney levels of arsenic may be below levels ordinarily considered diagnostic.

The following case emphasizes the need for documenting normal background levels of arsenic and other toxicants in animal tissues.