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

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 (n = 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 (n = 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 (n = 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.