Causes neurological signs in canines and cardiac signs in ruminants. Continued exposure to low doses can cause myocardial degeneration in cattle and sheep.

Diagnosis

History, elimination of other causes, detection of poisoned material, e.g. carrot in the stomach contents; chemical analysis confirms fluoroacetate in stomach contents.

NSW Department of Primary Industries does not analyse for fluoroacetate. Specimens will be sent to a specialist laboratory on request.

Specimens required

1. Approximately 100ml of stomach contents.
2. In cases of suspected poisoning in sheep and cattle, sections of myocardium, liver and lung submitted in buffered formalin for histopathology.