The pharmacokinetics of sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) in rabbits

Abstract

Sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) is a pesticide widely used in New Zealand to control rabbits and possums. Very little is known about the in vivo behaviour of 1080 in target and non target species. This experiment was carried out to investigate the persistence and tissue distribution of 1080 in rabbits and assess the risks associated with secondary poisoning. In this experiment New Zealand Large White rabbits were orally administered 0.1 mg 1080/kg W, a sublethal dose. This study demonstrated that 1080 is rapidly absorbed. The maximum concentration (0.106 µg/ml) of 1080 occurred in plasma 0.6 hours post dosing. The half life (t₁/₂) in plasma was 0.98 hours. The tissue distribution and elimination of 1080 was also rapid. No 1080 could be detected in tissue after 9 hours post dosing. This experiment clearly showed that 1080 does not persist for extended periods in the body. It is concluded that the hazard from consumption of a sublethally poisoned rabbit would be minimal to humans and other vulnerable non target species such as the dog.