Poisoning of dairy heifers by mercurous chloride

Abstract

Mercury poisoning was diagnosed in four dairy heifers, three of which died. The clinical signs were variable and included salivation, excessive thirst, extreme depression and severe diarrhoea. Postmortem examinations revealed inflammation and ulceration of the alimentary tract, pulmonary and cardiac haemorrhages, pallor of the kidney cortices and perirenal oedema. The kidney mercury concentrations were in the range 58 to 91 micrograms/g wet tissue. It is believed that the animals were poisoned by the ingestion of soil contaminated with mercurous chloride.

Mercury residues in free-grazing cattle and domestic fowl form the artisanal gold mining area of Geita district, Tanzania

“…As in the Food Additives and Contaminants 1483 present study, the above studies demonstrated that the liver contained higher concentrations of mercury than the muscles for both cattle and pigs. These differences in concentrations highlight the difference in the physiological function of the two tissues and reflect the vital role of the liver in the storage and detoxification of contaminants (Simpson et al 1997;Rudolfs and James 2000). Levels of mercury in both muscle and liver tissue of cattle from the Katunguru wards were similar to or lower than those reported in cattle from unpolluted areas in some European countries.…”

Effects of Montmorillonite Nanocomposite on Mercury Residues in Growing/Finishing Pigs

“…Furthermore, mercury is one of pollutants that could be enriched and amplified through biological food chains. It also can be accumulated in livestock and this sometimes causes toxic effects (Ammerman, 1977;Chang et al, 1977;Simpson et al, 1997). Nowadays concerns on food safety from consumers, society and governments soared to unprecedented heights.…”