Tag: toxicology

Tox Talk: Sudden Death in Fall-Calving Herd

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In this Tox Talk episode, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz review a case involving six dead calves out of 38 fall-calving cow–calf pairs on pasture. The producer had not been checking the herd frequently, making the exact timeline of deaths unclear. With at least one calf estimated to have been dead for 4–5 days. They emphasize how decomposition, weather, and time since death affect necropsy value. Initial differential diagnoses focus on infectious causes and potential toxicities, given that only calves were affected.

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Tox Talk: High Culling Rates

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A 2,000 cow dairy is seeing high culling rates due to lameness but not the typical lameness they are used to. What is wrong? Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz will discuss.

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley, and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producers in the field.

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Parasite Control, Bull BSE, Cover Crops

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Welcome to BCI Cattle Chat! In this week’s episode of Cattle Chat, the crew discuss the changing methods of parasite control. They continue the show by reviewing a paper discussed in a recent Bovine Science episode regarding back fat in bulls. Finally, the team discusses grazing cover crops and the effects on the soil. Thanks for listening and enjoy the episode!

For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!

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Tox Talk: Death of Young Calves

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When a large dairy operation finds seven young calves dead, they seek help from the toxicologists. What happened and how can they prevent it from happening in the future? Brad White and Scott Fritz go over this case and answer those questions. Thanks for listening!

KSVDL Toxicology: https://ksvdl.org/laboratories/toxicology/

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

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Replacement Heifers, Marketing, Water

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Welcome to BCI Cattle Chat! In this week’s episode of Cattle Chat, the team debates phenotype versus genotype when selecting replacement heifers. Next, Dustin leads the discussion on marketing with rising cattle prices. Finally the crew discuss water quality management.

2:25 Replacement Heifers

11:56 Marketing

1:13 Water Quality

For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!

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Tox Talk: Collecting Samples

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Black cow in front of green grass and blue sky.

For this unique episode of Tox Talk Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz walk through how to collect samples to send into toxicology. They will discuss the important samples to collect depending on the situation.
Toxicology Sample Collection Guide

KSVDL Toxicology: https://ksvdl.org/laboratories/toxicology/

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

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Toxicology Sample Collection Guide 

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ESSENTIAL Samples 
These are your non-negotiables — collect them in nearly every case of suspected toxicosis. 

 

Rumen Contents 

  • Amount: Gallon bag mixed from different compartments 
  • Container: Clean, leak-proof plastic container (NO additives) 
  • Storage: Refrigerate or freeze ASAP 
  • Why it matters: Primary exposure site for many toxins—contaminated feed, plants, heavy metals, etc. Snapshot of recent intake. 

Liver 

  • Amount: 1 pound 
  • Container: Plastic bag 
  • Storage: Freeze 
  • Why it matters: Metabolizes and can bioaccumulate toxins, first-pass metabolism means liver often has highest concentrations following oral exposure. Include formalin-fixed sample for histopathology. 

Kidney  

  • Amount: One whole kidney (or sections from both) 
  • Container: Plastic bag 
  • Storage: Freeze 
  • Why it matters: Often contains the highest concentrations following IV exposure, also main route of excretion. Many toxicants can cause microscopic lesions here so include sections fixed in formalin. 

Ocular Fluid 

  • Amount: 1–2 mL 
  • Container: Red-top or plain tube (no additives) 
  • Storage: Refrigerate 
  • Why it matters: Blood degrades quickly, ocular fluid is more stable postmortem. Ideal for nitrate, ammonia, electrolytes. Subject to postmortem change especially if left in the globe. 

Feed and Water Samples 

  • Amount: Gallon bag, 16 oz water 
  • When mixed rations are suspected, include samples of mix as delivered and individual components 
  • Container: Clean plastic bags or bottles 
  • Storage: Refrigerate or freeze 
  • Why it matters: Needed to confirm exposure source. Test hay, silage, grain, minerals, water, etc. 

Formalin-Fixed Tissues 

  • What to collect: Liver, kidney, brain, heart, lung, abomasum, rumen, muscle 
  • Container: 10:1 formalin to tissue ratio 
  • Why it matters: Some toxins cause identifiable lesions—centrilobular necrosis, renal tubular injury, myocardial necrosis. 

OPTIONAL / CASE-BASED Samples 

Collect when relevant to history, clinical signs, or herd investigation scope. 

Heart 

  • Amount: Whole 
  • Container: Seal proof bag 
  • Storage: Refrigerate or freeze fresh, also fix in formalin 
  • Why it matters: Essential to demonstrate lesions for ionophores, selenium, some cardiotoxic plants 

Urine 

  • Amount: Whatever you can get 
  • Container: Sterile container 
  • Storage: Refrigerate or freeze 
  • Why it matters: Good for water-soluble toxins and early/sublethal exposures, hypomagnesemia – need to correct for creatinine 

Brain 

  • Amount: Whole or large portion 
  • Container: Bag for frozen, formalin for histo 
  • Storage: Freeze for chemistry, fix other half for histology 
  • Why it matters: Needed for sodium testing or neurotoxins, acetylcholinesterase activity, and demonstrating lesions 

Fat 

  • Amount: Handful 
  • Container: Plastic bag 
  • Storage: Freeze 
  • Why it matters: Stores fat-soluble compounds, sometimes for years. 

Skeletal Muscle 

  • Amount: 100–200 g 
  • Container: Plastic bag 
  • Storage: Formalin, need fresh for drug residues 
  • Why it matters: Essential for ionophores, selenium, etc. 

Abomasal Contents 

  • Amount: 100–500 mL 
  • Container: Plastic container 
  • Storage: Refrigerate or freeze 
  • Why it matters: May provide more concentrated contents than the rumen, especially in calves. 

Tox Talk: Ponderosa Pine

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Three red and white cows in open green grass with row of trees behind them.

After a large snow storm 34 cows have aborted their calves. What caused this and how can it be prevented in the future? Find out on this episode of Tox Talk a Bovine Science Podcast with Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz? Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!

Ponderosa Pine: https://www.ars.usda.gov/pacific-west-area/logan-ut/poisonous-plant-research/docs/ponderosa-pine-pinus-ponderosa/
KSVDL Toxicology: https://ksvdl.org/laboratories/toxicology/

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

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Tox Talk: Poisoned Heifer

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When this producer goes to move his heifers he finds one dead and others ill. With no obvious clues, what caused the heifer to die and could this happen to the others? Find out on this episode of Tox Talk a Bovine Science Podcast with Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz? Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

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Tox Talk: Spring Turnout Gone Wrong

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Four dead calves found in a pasture after being turned out for the spring. What caused it, and why were no cows affected? Find out on this episode of Tox Talk a Bovine Science Podcast with Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz? Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

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Tox Talk: Eight Found in a Field

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After moving 700 pound stocker cattle to crop residue the producer found eight of them dead. What caused it, and can they put animals out there again? Find out on this episode of Tox Talk a Bovine Science Podcast with Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz? Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

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Hairy Heel Warts, Bull Composition, Sustainability

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Welcome to BCI Cattle Chat! Dr. Brian Lubbers begins the episode by discussing Hairy Heel Warts in feedlots. He explains what could cause them and how it can be treated. Next, the experts discuss bulls composition and BCS for cows versus bulls. Finally, Merri Beth Day is back to discuss her research on sustainability in the cattle industry. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the episode!

2:25 Listener Question, Hairy Heel Warts

11:18 Bull Composition

15:58 Sustainability with Merri Beth Day

For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!

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Tox Talk: 14 Dead in Snow

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This producer moves his cows out to cornstalks and the next day gets a big snow. When he goes to check on them the next day there are 14 dead. Dr. Scott Fritz and Dr. Brad White get to the bottom of the case in this episode. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

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Tox Talk: 11 Lame Cows

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As this producer gets ready for the snow they discover that 11 of their cows are lame. What caused it, and how can they keep the other 30 cows from going lame? Find out on this episode of Tox Talk a Bovine Science Podcast with Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz? Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

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Tox Talk: Death in a Dry Lot

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In order to gain some weight 16 cows are put in a dry lot on feed, one morning the producer sees they haven’t eaten and the next morning 8 of them are dead. Dr. Scott Fritz and Dr. Brad White get to the bottom of this case in this edition of Tox Talk: a Bovine Science with BCI podcast. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

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Tox Talk: Box of Tissue

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In the initial call Dr. Scott Fritz receives a box of cattle to determine what caused 30% death loss after heifers were put out on grass. Find out how they got to the bottom of this case on this episode of Tox Talk with Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

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Tox Talk: Flying Scapula

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Yearling heifers are found walking odd after being moved to a grass pasture. Dr. Scott Fritz and Dr. Brad White get to the bottom of this case in this edition of Tox Talk: a Bovine Science with BCI podcast. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

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Tox Talk: Pasture Rotation

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After a normal pasture rotation the next morning most of the herd is found dead. Dr. Scott Fritz and Dr. Brad White analyze this abnormal case and discuss the necropsy process leading to diagnosis in this edition of Tox Talk: a Bovine Science with BCI podcast. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

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