Cyanide Poisoning in Cattle

Abstract

Cyanide is one of the most vigorous toxins in the nature and it can affect all animals including cattle. Ruminants can be easily affected by this toxin because of their feeding style.More than 2000 plant species includes cyanogenic glycosides and these glycosides are converted to hydrogen cyanide by hydrolisation in the body. After the hydrolisation, hydrogen cyanide merges with methemoglobin and this complex inhibits the oxidative phosphorylation. As a result of these processes, affected animals may die. The toxin can affect animals rapidly. In clinical examination cherry-red colored mucous membranes and in the necropsy early formation of death attendance are the cardinal symptoms of cyanide poisoning. If the treatment performed rapidly, toxin can be neutralised but in the most cases the animals die due to rapidly acting nature of the toxin. It is important to pay attention to prevention from this toxication The aim of this review is to examine the cyanide poisoning, its diagnosis, treatment and prevention.