New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts

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Anticoagulant effects and the persistence of brodifacoum
in possums (Trichosurus vulpecula)

C. T. EASON
G. R. WRIGHT
D. BATCHELER

Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research
P.O. Box 69
Lincoln, New Zealand

Abstract  Brodifacoum was administered to possums at a sub-lethal dose of 0.1 mg/kg to assess its persistence in blood, muscle, and liver. Only 1 of 68 possums died at this dose level. However, significant increases in one-stage prothrombin (OSP) and activated partial prothrombin times (APP) confirmed that the possum is susceptible to the anticoagulant effects of brodifacoum. Trace amounts of brodifacoum were detected in plasma for 35 days. Substantial concentrations of brodifacoum were retained in the liver for 8 months. Much lower concentrations were also retained in muscle tissue. The persistence of brodifacoum raises concerns about the possible transfer of this compound through the food chain to humans, dogs, or wildlife.

Keywords  brodifacoum; possums; residues; toxicity

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 1996, Vol. 39: 397-400

0028-8233/96/3903-0397 $2.50/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 1996

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (316K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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