Methæmoglobin in Chronic Copper Poisoning of Sheep

Abstract

AFTER protracted periods of high copper-intake some species of farm animals accumulate large excesses of copper in the liver, and in certain circumstances this copper can be suddenly released into the blood and the clinical entity known as chronic copper poisoning develops^1–4. Sheep are particularly susceptible, and the sequence of clinical symptoms is generally : anorexia, hæmolysis of red cells, hæmoglobinuria, anæmia, jaundice and death. Although the build-up of copper in the liver may take place over a period of weeks or months, the ‘hæmolytic crisis’ is an acute illness and death usually occurs within 2–3 days.