Clinicopathologic aspects of chronic fluoride toxicosis in cattle

Cattle normally ingest small amounts of fluoride without evidencing adverse effects. Excessive fluorides may be from a variety of combination of sources. Responses to fluorides are influenced by a number of factors. Excessive levels can induce an acute, subacute or an insidious chronic toxicosis. Fluorides accumulate primarily in developing teeth and in bone, where major fluoride-induced lesions occur. Characterization of clinical signs and lesions and classification criteria have been developed to help standardize the diagnosis and evaluation of fluorosis. Teeth are adversely affected during their development, but bones may be affected throughout an animal’s lifetime. Supportive diagnostic criteria and aids are discussed and procedures and techniques that may partially protect cattle from chronic fluoride toxicosis are presented. Recommended tolerance standards for various ages and types of cattle are also given.