Copper poisoning, a deadly hazard for sheep

Borobia, Marta (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Villanueva-Saz, Sergio (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Ruiz de Arcaute, Marta (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Fernández, Antonio (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Verde, María Teresa (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; González, José María (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Navarro, Teresa (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Benito, Alfredo A. ; Arnal, José Luis ; De las Heras, Marcelo (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Ortín, Aurora (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Copper (Cu) is an essential microelement for animals. However, sheep are particularly susceptible to Cu intoxication, a deadly disease reported worldwide. The risk of developing this poisoning is higher in vulnerable breeds and in intensively managed lambs or milk sheep. Two types of Cu intoxication can occur depending on the chronic or acute exposure to Cu. In chronic Cu poisoning (CCP), the most common form, Cu is accumulated in the liver during a subclinical period. A low intake of Cu antagonists (molybdenum, sulphur, iron, or zinc) favours Cu accumulation. The sudden release of Cu into the blood causes acute haemolysis with anaemia, haemoglobinuria, jaundice and death within 1–2 days. Acute Cu poisoning is related to the accidental administration or ingestion of toxic amounts of Cu. Acute oral exposure to Cu causes severe gastroenteritis, shock and death. Collapse and death occur shortly after parenteral administration. The diagnosis is based on history, clinical, gross pathological, histological and toxicological findings. Treatment of sheep with severe clinical signs often has poor success but is very effective during the Cu accumulation phase. Different therapies, based on either chelating agents or Cu antagonists, have been used to treat and prevent CCP.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.3390/ani12182388

Año: 2022

Publicado en: Animals 12, 18 (2022), 2388 [16pp.]
ISSN: 2076-2615

Factor impacto JCR: 3.0 (2022)

Categ. JCR: VETERINARY SCIENCES rank: 13 / 144 = 0.09 (2022) - Q1 - T1
Categ. JCR: AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE rank: 12 / 62 = 0.194 (2022) - Q1 - T1

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 4.2 - Veterinary (Q1) - Agricultural and Biological Sciences (Q2)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.684 - Veterinary (miscellaneous) (Q1) - Animal Science and Zoology (Q1)

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Sanidad Animal (Dpto. Patología Animal)
Área (Departamento): Área Medicina y Cirugía Animal (Dpto. Patología Animal)