5.7 Effects on domestic animals
With a large number of Tb control operations occurring near farms, there are strict procedures that have been developed to minimise the likelihood of livestock being accidentally poisoned.
The most likely route for poisoning of livestock (sheep, cattle and deer) is from eating baits, given that they find both carrot and cereal baits attractive. Even baits that have started to break down should be regarded as hazardous to sheep and cattle. Livestock needs to be kept away from any areas where poisons have been laid, for a specified time. Landowners are advised of this at the time of the operation. Accidents have occurred when fences get breached, pilots miscalculate, farmers ignore safety procedures or communications between people break down. Occasionally livestock have been poisoned.
Dogs are very sensitive to 1080 (see Table 1) and must be kept away from baits and from possum carcasses. In cold weather, possum carcasses can potentially contain amounts of 1080 that could be lethal to dogs for at least 11 weeks after death9. 1080 applicators must warn dog owners of 1080 operations and may issue muzzles and emetics. Clearly, it requires diligence from owners to protect their dog(s) against poisoning, and for agencies to make dog owners aware of the risks and how to protect dogs against accidental poisoning.
Cats are also susceptible to secondary poisoning from eating carcasses, although they are about five times less sensitive than dogs to 1080, on a per weight basis.
An antidote for 1080?
At present there is no antidote for 1080 in the event of accidental poisoning of people, dogs or livestock. In April 2002, researchers at HortResearch said that after several years of working on a 1080 antidote they had made "good progress" and had achieved good survival rates testing the antidote on chickens, rats, rabbits and sheep. Before taking the next step and seeing if the antidote works on dogs, HortResearch wants to assess if there is a public or industry demand for an antidote to be developed, and to debate the ethics of such research. HortResearch is seeking guidance on whether to continue the research.
In the absence of an antidote for dogs, simple emetic treatment (using solutions of salt or washing soda) is available and effective if it is administered within an hour of baits being eaten48. The risk is that wandering dogs may not return within this time, which means that restraining dogs is the only sure protection.
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