An outbreak of arsenic and toxaphene poisoning in Kenyan cattle
Maitai, C.K.; Kamau, J.A.; Gacuhi, D.M.; Njoroge, S.
Veterinary Record 96(7): 151-152
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 1119075 Document Number: 91789
In a herd of 250 heifers 18-24 months old, 70 animals developed symptoms of restlessness and diarrhoea; half developed convulsions and coma before death. Only 3 animals survived. Animals that died on the first day did not show any obvious PM lesion, but those that died later showed haemorrhagic gastroenteritis, petechial and ecchymotic haemorrhages on the epi- and endo-cardium, emphysema of lungs and enlargement of the liver. Toxicological examination of organs of one animal showed the presence of arsenic in the abomasum (10 mg%) liver (50 mu g%) and kidney (50 mu g%). Toxaphene was also detected in the gastrointestinal contents (300 mg%). The animals had grazed on pasture located around an abandoned dip. Arsenic (2-15 mg%) and toxaphene (5-50 mg%) were also detected in the soil samples around the dip. Arsenic (2 mg%) was found in dip water, but toxaphene was absent.