Experimental ammonia poisoning in cattle fed extruded or prilled urea: clinical findings

Authors

  • Alexandre Coutinho Antonelli Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Médica, São Paulo, SP
  • Clara Satsuki Mori Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Médica, São Paulo, SP
  • Pierre Castro Soares Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Médica, São Paulo, SP
  • Sandra Satiko Kitamura Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Médica, São Paulo, SP
  • Enrico Lippi Ortolani Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Médica, São Paulo, SP

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-95962004000100010

Keywords:

Urea, Ammonia poisoning, Clinical picture, Cattle

Abstract

Twelve yearling Girolando, rumen-fistulated steers never fed with urea before, were distributed randomly in 2 groups of 6 animals each. Both groups were administered intraruminally a single dose (0.5 g/kg BW) of extruded (G1) or prilled (G2) urea to induce ammonia poisoning. The clinical picture was followed for the next 240 min. Besides the classic signs the present study found 3 new additional sign: dehydration, hypothermia and ingurgitated episcleral veins. Convulsion, considered the definite sign, was seen in 5 out of 6 animals from both groups. One steer (G1) had only fasciculation, while another (G2) developed typical clinical signs, but not convulsion, and recovered spontaneously without treatment. The appearance of clinical signs such as muscle tremors, sternal recumbency and convulsive episode occurred at similar times in both groups, but when analyzed altogether they took place later in G1 (p < 0.04). The 1st sign to show up was fasciculation, followed by apathy, hyperaesthesia, pushing against obstacles, muscle tremor, rumen stasis, incoordination, sternal and then lateral recumbency, mild or severe dehydration, and convulsion. Higher heart rate was detected at the convulsive episodes. After the convulsions, 4 animals from each group had mild hypothermia. One steer from G2 fell down in coma and died suddenly before the beginning of the treatment. Although the extruded urea postponed the clinical picture, the signs were as severe as exhibited by cattle administered prilled urea. Both forms of urea offered at high dose can be harmful to cattle never fed urea.

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Published

2004-02-01

Issue

Section

UNDEFINIED

How to Cite

Experimental ammonia poisoning in cattle fed extruded or prilled urea: clinical findings. (2004). Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science, 41(1), 67-74. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-95962004000100010