Fluoride toxicosis in wild ungulates.

To compare the occurrence of chronic fluoride toxicosis in wild and domestic animals in selected areas of Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, deer, elk, and bison bones and teeth were collected for evaluation. Vegetation and drinking water samples also were collected, so that potential sources of fluoride could be evaluated. Deer, elk, and bison were found to be susceptible to the adverse effects of ingestion of excessive amounts of fluoride. Teeth and bones were primarily affected with characteristic lesions. Pathognomonic soft tissue changes were not observed. The animals had been exposed to a variety of sources of excessive fluoride, including water high in fluoride, forages contaminated by industrial effluents that were high in fluoride, vegetation contaminated with high fluoride-content soil by rain splash or wind, or a combination of these sources. Waters high in fluoride, especially from geothermal springs and wells, often contained appreciable amounts of various soluble salts. Evidence accumulated from specimens collected throughout the aforementioned states indicated that there are areas where chronic fluoride toxicosis is a problem for wildlife. These areas were where natural sources of fluorine (especially geothermal waters) provided amounts for ingestion that exceed species tolerance limits or were near certain industrial operations.