Hundreds of animals in the province die each year or perform poorly after accidentally ingesting lead. Gradual poisoning may also occur in areas with heavy industrial pollution. Lead poisoning can affect any cattle operation. In the last 20 years, Alberta Agriculture veterinarians have seen over 700 cases of lead poisoning involving more than 2,000 head of cattle. Some trends have emerged from the incidents of lead poisoning in Alberta.
Poisonings usually involve animals from well-managed farms and ranches.
Sometimes only one calf is affected. At other times more than 20 cows have been lost in a single poisoning incident. Why lead affects cattle Even a small amount of lead can kill cattle. Cattle will readily drink crankcase oil, lick grease from machinery and chew on lead plumbing and batteries. The lead in these materials settles in the stomachs of cattle, where stomach acids gradually change the lead into poisonous salts.