Occurrence of acute lead toxicosis in western Canadian cattle herds: A decade of diagnostic case records (2014 to 2024).

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acute lead toxicosis is a leading toxic etiology in western Canadian cattle herds. Automotive batteries are commonly accepted as the main source of lead for grazing cattle. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to characterize cases of acute lead poisoning in cattle in western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) based on submissions to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory from 2014 to 2024. PROCEDURE: This study was a diagnostic records review. RESULTS: From January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2024, 352 cattle were poisoned from 233 herds. Cases occurred annually (median: 33 cases, 13 herds). Most submissions occurred in June (= 110); however, cases were documented monthly (median: 18 cases, 21 herds). Cases and herds affected were most frequent in Saskatchewan (51 and 49%, respectively), followed by Alberta > Manitoba > British Columbia. Diagnosis was made most often on a postmortem basis, particularly with fresh liver (= 213; range: 1.7 to 1663 mg/kg wet weight). There were 128 cases diagnosed antemortem using whole blood (range: 0.33 to 6.5 mg/L). Most herds affected were beef breeds (98%). Poisoning was most frequently diagnosed in calves (= 174). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Acute lead poisoning continues to be a regular occurrence in western Canada. Pre-weaned calves during the months of May through July were at the greatest risk of lead poisoning in this study population.