Selenium Poisoning in Livestock

Selenium in certain soils ma y be taken up by plants in amounts sufficient to make forage toxic to animals. Seieniterous torage can be found in semiarid areas on soils t ypicall y derived from Cretaceous geologic material in the Western United States and Canada. Intoxication or iivestock b y seieniterous p lants nas been ciassiried as acute or cnronic. Acute :-,oisoning results from consumin g plants containinc hic2n efenium concentrations. Chronic selenium Poisonin g has peen aescribed in two torms: alkali disease and blind staggers. Alkali disease results from oroioneed in gestion or °Janis ,:ontainin g, 5-40 ppm selenium in inorganic or organic forms. Alkali disease causes loss or hair, lameness, weight loss and probably reduces reproductive efficienc y . Blind staggers is said to result trom the consumption or selenium indicator plants. These plants, in contrast to the nonaccumulators, contain selenium in water soluble, nonprotein forms. Blind staggers causes animals to wander, walk in circles, and to have difficulty in swallowing; in addition, it may cause blindness. Information is presented that questions the attribution of blind staggers to selenium toxicosis.