Pesticide Poisoning Report 2011 - SASA

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was the likely cause of the illness. The laboratory analysis revealed a residue ofmethiocarb, another active ingredient used in slug pellets, in a sample of faecesfrom the animal. A field investigation undertaken by Scottish GovernmentAgricultural staff concluded that the dog had ingested the poison whilst rootingaround in rubbish.In the third misuse incident cattle died after ingesting a quantity of metaldehydeslug pellets. The affected cattle were part of a group of 18 animals that hadbeen in a rented field since the end of April 2011. The first indication that aproblem existed occurred in mid-August when two animals were found collapsedand trembling in respiratory distress and a third was unwell and twitching. Thefindings of the post mortem examination, carried out by SAC Veterinary Servicesin Penicuik, suggested that the animals had ingested a slug pellet formulationwhen small, blue pellets were found in the animal’s intestines. The laboratoryinvestigation confirmed that suspicion by identifying a residue of metaldehyde ina sample of rumen contents. The field investigation established that the fieldwhere the cattle were grazing, which is permanent pasture, has a disused quarrywithin it which is sometimes used by the landlord for burning waste paper. It wasalso established that the landlord has a large vegetable processing business andthat metaldehyde slug pellets are used on these crops but were not used on thepermanent grassland. A search of the field and disused quarry failed to uncoverany evidence of metaldehyde and the source of the chemical remains uncertain.However, it may be that a container with some metaldehyde inadvertently endedup amongst rubbish waiting to be burnt and that allowed the stock to gain accessto the poison.ABUSE12. In 2011, sixteen incidents were categorised as abuse compared to 32 incidentsin this category in 2010. Analytical investigations included analysis of tissuesamples, digestive tract material, various chemicals and poisoning paraphernalia(e.g. implements/tools, game bags and sweepings from vehicles). As inprevious years, a high proportion (63%) of abuse incidents involved birds of prey(Figure 2).201120092007200520032001199919970 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40Birds of Prey Companion Animals OthersFigure 2. Abuse of pesticides in Scotland (number of incidents 1997 - 2011).9
13. Ten abuse incidents involved birds of prey (Table 4). The 6 others included; cat(1), crow (1), dog (1), raven (1) and suspected baits (2).Table 4: Number of birds of prey that were victims of pesticide abuse in 2011Region aNumberofincidentsBuzzardRedKitePeregrineFalconSparrowhawk GoldenEagleBorder 1 1 - - - -Dumfries &Galloway1 - 1 - - -Grampian 1 1 - - - 1Highland 3 1 2 - - -Lothian 1 2 - - 2 -Strathclyde 2 - 1 2 - -Tayside 1 2 - - - -TOTAL 10 7 4 2 2 1a See appendix III for regional classification in Scotland14. Seven different pesticides and/or their metabolites were detected and identifiedin abuse incidents in 2011. The pesticides were aldicarb, aldicarb sulfoxide,bendiocarb, bromadiolone, carbofuran, chloralose, and strychnine.UNSPECIFIED USE15. Sometimes it is not possible to definitely establish the source of a pesticidewhich has been positively detected and is present at levels considered to pose asignificant risk of mortality. Such cases are categorised as ‘Unspecified Use’. In2011 5 incidents, all involving anticoagulant rodenticides fell into this category.Animals and pesticides involved in these incidents are listed in Table 5.Table 5: Unspecified Use incidents recorded in 2011Region Pesticides Month SpeciesBorderDumfries &Gallowaybrodifacoum, bromadiolone,difenacoumbrodifacoum, bromadiolone,difenacoumFebruaryAprilbuzzard, tawnyowlred kiteLothian bromadiolone, difenacoum February foxLothian difenacoum March buzzardStrathclyde brodifacoum, bromadiolone March fox10
Page 1: Pesticide Poisoning ofAnimals in 20
Page 4 and 5: PESTICIDE POISONINGOF ANIMALS IN 20
Page 6 and 7: SUMMARYThe Wildlife Incident Invest
Page 8 and 9: and Environment Protection Act 1985
Page 10 and 11: Table 1: Number of incidents invest
Page 12 and 13: Species or sample typeNumber tested
Page 16 and 17: ANTICOAGULANT RODENTICIDES16. Non-t
Page 18 and 19: APPENDIX IINVESTIGATION PROCEDUREST
Page 20 and 21: SUMMARY OF INCIDENTS THAT TESTED PO
Page 22 and 23: Ref. Month Region Chemical Category
Page 26: Ref. Month Region Chemical Category
Page 33: APPENDIX IIIREGIONS IN SCOTLAND USE

Pesticide Poisoning Report 2011 - SASA

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