Effects of repeated oral dosing of selenium of sheep

Authors: Pauli JV, Cooper BS, West DM
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 37, Issue 1, pp 37, Mar 1989
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Diet/rations/food, Nutrition/metabolism, Selenium, Trace elements, Treatment/therapy, Toxicology
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: On many farms in New Zealand where sheep need supplements of selenium, it is convenient to administer sodium selenate solution mixed into anthelmintic drench. During certain periods of the year, lambs and hoggets may receive an anthelmintic drench every four weeks and on some properties more often. If selenium is added to a farmer`s bulk supplies of the anthelmintic, it is possible therefore that mobs of young sheep might inadvertently receive selenium at unnecessarily short intervals, so posing a risk of toxicity. We wish to report a small pilot experiment designed to simulate an extreme degree of selenium over-supplementation. A number of blood components were monitored for changes which might indicate sub-clinical toxicity. Five, 6-9 month old Romney cross-breed hoggets each received a total of 148 mg of selenium as 21 oral doses of sodium selenate in water over a period of 24 weeks…

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