Metaldehyde
3 December 2018
2 minute read
By: Metaldehyde is widely used to kill slugs and other garden pests and it is presented either as a meal with bran or pelleted. Clinical signs start within one hour of ingestion and effect the nervous system, with severe tremors, incoordination, convulsions, high temperatures and death due to respiratory failure. If pigs eat large amounts, it is necessary to anaesthetise them using barbiturates for a period of 6 to 12 hours whilst the medicine is excreted. There is no specific antidote.
Emily Houghton
Emily Houghton is a Zoology graduate from Cardiff University and was the editor of The Pig Site from October 2017 to May 2020. Emily has worked in livestock husbandry, and has written, conducted and assisted with research projects regarding the synthesis of welfare and productivity of free-range food species.
