Metaldehyde Toxicosis in Ducklings

Arsenic and metaldehyde toxicosis in a beef herd.

Over a 12-day period, 13 animals in a herd of 110 beef cattle developed ataxia with profound muscle fasciculations progressing to recumbency. Twelve animals (5 adults and 7 calves from 8-10 months of age) died, and 1 cow was euthanized. Hemorrhagic diarrhea occurred in some, but not all, animals. The onset of clinical signs was at least 12 hours after the cattle had gained access to contents of...

The environmental profile of metaldehyde

Since 1937 the dry alcohol metaldehyde has been known to act as a molluscicide. Detailed studies have shown that the main effect on slugs is that the mucus cells are irreversibly damaged. Mucus cells are part of important physiological structures typical of molluscs. Metaldehyde is not phytotoxic and in no cases have negative effects been recorded on the carabid beetles Poecilus cupreus, Carabu...

[Murder by metaldehyde poisoning].

Nutritional Myopathy in Ducklings

Ducklings fed on a diet of skimmed milk powder, casein, corn-starch, lard, cod liver oil, yeast, salts and paper pulp rapidly develop a disease characterized by extreme and progressive myasthenia, ending in death within a few days. Pathological changes are found in the skeletal muscles. These show widespread hyaline necrosis of fibers, with edema and cellular reaction. The brain and other parts...

Diazinon Toxicosis in Geese

On a goose farm with 7600 geese kept in 6 houses, 730 birds in 2 houses died within a single day. After drinking, a certain proportion of geese in the affected houses exhibited trembling, salivation, lachrymation and respiratory distress followed by convulsions, dullness and prostration. The birds died soon after the onset of clinical signs. Postmortem examination revealed the presence of a lar...