Now that animals are being turned out we like to think that farmers perhaps we will get a little respite from having the vet out, warmer weather, cattle out to graze and the chance to crack on with other jobs around the farm. However recent statistics from the SAC show that there may be more dangers out in the fields than you initially considered. Through May to August there is a clear peak in the diagnoses of lead poisoning cases with 74% of diagnoses made during these summer months after turn out, with younger stock more susceptible.
The main causes of poisoning on farms are lead and copper. We advise that you take these five steps to avoid this happening:
- Check that vehicle and fence batteries are stored securely and out of reach of animals.
- Check fields and fences for fly-tipping before putting animals out to pasture.
- Has the fence line been damaged by a car accident on icy roads over the winter? Have all remains, particularly the battery of the vehicle been removed?
- Be aware of bonfire ash remaining in a field as a potential source of lead.
- Check buildings and equipment for old lead paint peeling off.
Most poisoning incidents are caused by lead, which can impact the health of animals and put consumers at risk. It can also result in animals being restricted from the food chain until lead levels in their systems are proved safe.
This leads to financial costs to you as as the Food Standard Agency may restrict animals for slaughter and need for you to pay for animals to be tested for lead.
Clinical presentations of acute disease to be aware of include:
- Sudden death
- Blindness
- Ataxia, convulsions, hyperaesthesia
- Abdominal distention
- Teeth grinding
If you are concerned about suspect cases, please do not hesitate to get in touch and we will happily advice. From a sampling perspective there are a number of options that the vet can look at you for; heparinised blood samples, fresh kidney and fixed brain for histopathology are useful samples / tissues to collect.
