The correlation of potassium content and moisture in bovine liver samples analyzed for trace mineral concentrations.

Beef cattle in the United States are often found to be deficient in essential trace minerals such as copper and zinc. Established reference ranges for mineral concentrations exist and usually designate a concentration as adequate, marginal, deficient, or excessive. This research investigates a new method of interpreting detected elemental concentrations in bovine liver that will add confidence to the final diagnosis.

Cyanide toxicosis in goats after ingestion of California Holly (Heteromeles arbutifolia).

Cyanogenic glycosides are found in many native and naturalized plants throughout North America. The glycosides themselves are not toxic, but they yield hydrogen cyanide (hydrocyanic or prussic acid) when they are hydrolyzed by beta-glycosidases, either as a result of injury to the plant cells or by microbial action in the rumen. Hydrogen cyanide is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.