Commercial and industrial chemical hazards for ruminants

There are many potentially hazardous commercial or industrial products used in or around ruminant environments. Although some products are highly toxic, their proper storage and use minimize their hazard to ruminants. Although most exposures to such materials occur via ingestion, inhalation or dermal exposures also are possible. The diagnosis of intoxication requires both thorough antemortem and postmortem examination of affected animals and thorough investigation of their environment. Fortunately, intoxications from such materials are relatively infrequent. The possibility of residues affecting meat or milk from exposed animals always needs to be considered.