Elemental Sulphur Toxicosis in Cattle and Sheep in Botswana

Abstract

Acute deaths involving 141 Tswana breed of cattle and 15 Black Head breed of sheep were reported within 2 to 48 hours of drinking water at Mahibitswana crush, Shoshong village in Mahalapye district, Botswana. The water was from an open well at the crush, the latter being a designated communal livestock collection area used for watering, inspection, treatment and vaccination of livestock by Veterinary services personnel. At the time of the ambulatory visit, 7 sheep and 41 cattle belonging to this crush were reported dead. Donkeys and goats watered from the same source were not affected. The signs were acute and included hind limb weakness with subsequent recumbency, severe dyspnoea, tachycardia, a thready pulse and mud colored mucus membranes. The latter were injected in some animals. Slight frothing at the mouth was evident. The menace reflex to check for visual acuity was blunted. Parenteral administration of Vitamin B complex (Virbac) using the intramuscular route of inoculation in addition to dexa-tomanol and long acting terramycin, resulted in amelioration of the clinical signs. Recovery was uneventful and relapses were not reported. This is the first published report of suspected elemental sulphur poisoning among ruminants in Botswana.

Minerals and Heavy Metals in the Whole Raw Milk of Dairy Cows from Different Management Systems and Countries of Origin: A Meta-Analytical Study

“…Another possible source of sulfides is the drinking water. It should be pointed out that high amounts of S might be harmful to cows because they are associated with decreased feed intake. − …”