Animal poisonings from metaldehyde and iron phosphate molluscicides

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe reports of animals exposed to metaldehyde- and iron phosphate-containing molluscicides and characterize iron phosphate exposure incidents in dogs with clinical signs compatible with iron toxicosis. DESIGN: 2-part retrospective case series. SAMPLE: 1,500 reports of animals exposed to molluscicides containing metaldehyde (n … 1,285) or iron phosphate between 2001 and 2011 (n … 215; part 1) and a subset of 56 reports involving 61 dogs with suspected iron toxicosis (part 2). PROCEDURES: In part 1, a National Pesticide Information Center database was searched to identify reported exposures to metaldehyde- and iron phosphate-containing molluscicides before, during, and after a regulatory transition affecting metaldehyde product labeling beginning in 2006. Source of the report, number of animals, clinical signs, and deaths were evaluated. In part 2, reports involving potential iron toxicosis in dogs were additionally reviewed for signalment, circumstances of exposure, and product identification. RESULTS: Reports of metaldehyde exposures decreased each year between 2006 (n … 193) and 2011 (21), whereas reports of iron phosphate exposures increased between 2006 (n … 4) and 2010 (73); changes were not evaluated statistically. Animals had no clinical signs at the time of the call in 130 of 215 (60%) and 675 of 1,285 (53%) reports of iron phosphate and metaldehyde exposure, respectively. In dogs, 35 deaths were associated with metaldehyde exposure and no deaths were associated with iron phosphate exposure. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Veterinary professionals should be aware of the potential for iron toxicosis following exposure to iron phosphate-containing molluscicides.