Methods of prevention of Se toxicity are discussed. Se deficiency is very common. It can arise in stock within 1 km of toxic farms. For safety, mineral supplements high in Se should not be given to livestock within 5 miles of known toxic farms unless blood samples from the stock are found to be low in Se. Toxicity due to high Se levels in soil and herbage is usually chronic but can be acute.
Horses are more susceptible than cattle.
The purpose of this article is to alert Irish colleagues to a possible method of treating chronic clinical Se toxicity. To our knowledge, it has not been attempted in Ireland. Methods of prevention are outlined also. These occur mainly in Co. Meath and north Co. Dublin but also in Counties Limerick and Tipperary. Other sources of Se are the Calp limestones.