Incidence and management of poisonings in livestock

Insecticides, nitrates, gossypol, copper, and plants are a few of the common toxicoses observed in livestock in a particular specie due to various factors. Some species may have anatomical or physiological uniquenesses making them more susceptible to certain agents. Another specie may be exposed to some agents more frequently than others, increasing the likelihood of toxicosis in that specie. Once recognized, therapy is often unrewarding due to the advanced stage of the condition when first recognized, the stress involved in administering the treatment, and the unfeasibility of multiple treatments on many animals. Because of the poor response to treatment and the large number of animals potentially at risk, prevention assumes a greater importance in food animals than in companion animals. Prevention consists of making the diagnosis, findings and removing the source of the toxicant, and educating the owner on how future problems can be avoided.