Penta has been used as a fungicide, molluscicide, insecticide, and as a wood preservative, but its registrations for these purposes have gradually been reduced or cancelled over the years. In the US, pentachlorophenol pesticide use is currently restricted to cert
Poisoning by ingestion of excess urea (a nitrogen compound) or other sources of nonprotein nitrogen is usually sudden, rapidly progressive, and highly deadly. After ingestion, nonprotein nitrogen undergoes a chemical reaction and releases excess ammonia into the
Many species are susceptible to nitrate and nitrite poisoning, but cattle are affected most often. They are especially vulnerable because microorganisms living in the rumen convert nitrate into nitrite, which is 10 times more toxic than nitrate, before nitrite is
Venomous snakes fall into two families: 1) the Elapidae, which include the cobra, mamba, and coral snakes; and 2) the Cortalidae, which include the true vipers (for example, puff adder, Russell’s viper, and the common European adder) and the pit vipers (for examp
Selenium is an essential element that is added to many feed supplements. Unfortunately, it has a narrow margin of safety. Too much selenium weakens the hooves, which tend to fracture when subjected to mechanical stress.
Salt (sodium chloride) toxicity can result when animals eat too much salt and do not have enough water to drink. Salt toxicity is directly related to water consumption and is unlikely if fresh drinking water is available. Mechanical failure of waterers, overcrowd
Zinc is an essential trace metal that plays an important role in many biologic processes. Zinc toxicity has been seen in a wide range of animals. It is most common in pet dogs, possibly because of their indiscriminate eating habits and great availability of zinc-