(Stamps) smears were negative.
Further consultation with the referring vet and farmer revealed that rodenticide blocks were placed down
routinely on the soya lands, both shortly after planting and again before reaping for rodent control. There is a
suspicion that ewe’s gained access to these lands and consumed the rodenticide blocks. The “first-generation”
anticoagulants (warfarin, pindone, coumafuryl, coumachlor, isovaleryl indanedione, and others less frequently
used) require multiple feedings to result in toxicity. The “intermediate” anticoagulants (chlorophacinone and
in particular diphacinone) require fewer feedings than “first-generation” chemicals, and thus are more toxic
to nontarget species. The “second-generation” anticoagulants (brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difethiolone) are
highly toxic to nontarget species (dogs, cats, livestock, or wildlife) after a single feeding. Secondary poisoning in
nontarget animal species from anticoagulants has also been documented.
Brodifacoum has been associated with mortalities in newborn puppies, where the dam has shown no signs of
coumarin rodenticide poisoning. It is suspected that fetuses are more susceptible to brodifacoum poisoning
than adults. A similar scenario is suspected in this instance.
2018
MAY
21