Effect of potassium cyanide on behaviour and title to death in possums

Aim. To assess the sickness behaviours of possums after eating a lethal dose of potassium cyanide. Method. Spontaneous behaviour and the time to loss of physical responses were examined. Results. Cyanide ingestion caused a short-lasting period of mild respiratory stimulation. There was no salivation, retching or vomiting. Convulsions occurred in 73% of the possums. After the ingestion of cyanide, the average time to onset of ataxia was 3 minutes, the average time to overall loss of consciousness was 6.5 minutes, and the time to cessation of breathing was 18 minutes. Conclusion. Cyanide is a rapid-acting toxin with few undesirable signs from the welfare perspective. Keywords. Possums, pest control, animal welfare, cyanide, intoxication, behaviour.