Designing a mobile application for field use on dairies experiencing a toxicologic event

Abstract

Large-scale toxic events on dairies can be difficult emotionally and financially. Many diseases of animals manifest over predicable time frames, whereas toxic events can appear quite suddenly and unexpectedly. Severity of toxic signs can range from non-clinical to clinical. Mortality rates can vary, but in today's concentrated animal feeding units high mortalities can be quite devastating. In addition to the potential disruption of milk shipped and cows lost, a toxic event also presents a possible food safety and public health issue that potentially erodes consumer confidence. Quick and accurate assessment of a toxic event is crucial for the health of both the animals and people consuming products derived from affected animals. The objective of this paper is to describe a smartphone or tablet application (app) that can be downloaded to assist field personnel investigating a toxic event.