Carbofuran toxicosis in cattle: case history and analytical method

Thirteen head of crossbred Brahman cattle were exposed to carbofuran which had been mixed with rice to control blackbirds. Three animals died within 20 minutes after eating the contaminated grain, and the other 10 exhibited clinical signs associated with carbamate toxicosis. The 4 most severely affected animals were treated with a subtherapeutic dose of atropine sulfate; they did not respond and subsequently died. The remaining 6 recovered. Samples of rumen contents from the animals that died contained carbofuran concentrations ranging from 2 to 51 mg/kg.