Nontarget and secondary poisoning risks associated with cholecalciferol

Abstract

In New Zealand cholecalciferolcontaining baits are used for possum and rodent control We have assessed the primary and secondary nontarget hazards associated with these baits At 2000 mg/kg cholecalciferol had no adverse effects in ducks but some chickens and canaries died Weta and weka were not affected by eating bait containing cholecalciferol In secondary poisoning studies most dogs and cats fed carcasses of possums poisoned with cholecalciferol were unaffected but repeat exposures for 5 days induced some reversible signs of toxicosis in dogs The most distinguishing feature of cholecalciferol is a lower risk of secondary poisoning when compared with 1080 and brodifacoum