Toxicity of Cupric Sulfate for Beef Cattle

Abstract

Twenty Hereford x Brahman steers were divided into five groups of four animals each. The groups were allotted randomly to daily levels of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 gm. of CuSO₄, administered in a gelatin capsule. CUSO₄ administered in this manner was not toxic to the cattle. Increasing CUSO₄ levels to 0.75, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0 and 12.0 gm. did not create toxic syndromes. However, when the 12.0 gm. level was administered in a water drench the CUSO₄ was toxic and resulted in death of two experimental animals in 65 days. Death was preceded by a loss in body weight, hemoglobinuria, decrease in blood hemoglobin and packed cell volume and a sharp increase in liver Cu levels. The anatomical-pathological diagnosis was toxic hepatitis and nephritis, splenic congestion with hemosiderosis and catarrhal enteritis. Copyright © . .