Urea Poisoning in Cattle
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of using urea in feed supplements for cattle?

  • To increase the amount of nitrogen in the rumen
  • To aid in the digestion and absorption of other nutrients
  • To provide a source of non-protein nitrogen (NPN) for synthesizing protein (correct)
  • To provide a source of protein for rumen microflora

    • What happens to excess ammonia in the rumen if the rumen organisms cannot metabolise it?

  • It is excreted directly into the urine
  • It is converted back to urea and excreted by the kidneys (correct)
  • It is broken down into harmless compounds
  • It is stored in the liver for later use

    • What is the likely outcome if cattle consume more urea than the rumen organisms can metabolise?

  • The cattle will experience a decrease in appetite
  • The cattle will experience poisoning from excess ammonia and urea in the blood (correct)
  • The cattle will experience a rapid increase in protein synthesis
  • The cattle will experience an increase in milk production

    • What are some common signs of urea poisoning in cattle?

    <p>Twitching of ears and facial muscles, grinding of the teeth, and frothy salivation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the most useful diagnostic indicator of urea poisoning in cattle?

    <p>History of access to urea and signs shown by live, affected animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are laboratory tests of blood samples not very helpful in diagnosing urea poisoning?

    <p>Because no specific changes are seen in blood samples</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can contribute to urea separating out from the supplement after transport?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to re-mix the supplement before feeding if it has separated during transport?

    <p>To prevent the cattle from eating too much urea at once</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason for collecting blood from unaffected animals when measuring blood ammonia levels?

    <p>To compare with ammonia levels in sick animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it essential to freeze rumen fluid immediately after collection?

    <p>To slow down the production of ammonia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of post-mortem examination in animals that have died from urea poisoning?

    <p>Generalised congestion of the carcase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of including formalin-fixed sections of rumen and reticulum in the diagnostic process?

    <p>To assist in the diagnosis of urea poisoning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the suggested volume of cold water to be used in treating urea poisoning?

    <p>45 L for an adult cow</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is acetic acid or vinegar used in the treatment of urea poisoning?

    <p>To slow down the production of ammonia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential consequence of not repeating treatment for urea poisoning within 24 hours?

    <p>Relapse of the poisoning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of an alkaline rumen pH in the diagnosis of urea poisoning?

    <p>It is suggestive of urea poisoning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the recommended rate of urea supplementation for a 400 kg cow?

    <p>35-40 g/day</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if cattle unavoidably miss out on urea supplementation for a couple of days?

    <p>Restart them at a lower intake level</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of feeding supplement mixes or blocks under a roof?

    <p>To prevent urea getting wet and dissolving</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the typical peak age onset of BSE in adult cattle?

    <p>4-5 years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the causative agent of BSE?

    <p>A misfolded prion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the incubation period of BSE?

    <p>2.5 to 8 years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which country was the BSE eradication program the most extensive?

    <p>United Kingdom</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the neurological disorder caused by BSE?

    <p>Encephalopathy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the recommended daily intake of urea for a 400 kg cow?

    <p>0.1 g/kg body weight</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the maximum percentage of total nitrogen intake that should be NPN in cattle?

    <p>One third</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of taking rumen and reticulum samples in formalin?

    <p>To diagnose urea poisoning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is measuring blood ammonia levels in dead animals not useful?

    <p>Because the blood breaks down rapidly after death and produces ammonia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the maximum amount of urea that can be provided in the concentrate ration?

    <p>3% of the concentrate ration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the toxic level of urea intake in cattle?

    <p>0.3-0.5 g/kg/day</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of placing blood on ice immediately after collection?

    <p>To prevent the breakdown of proteins in the blood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the post-mortem indication of urea poisoning?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism of transmission of BSE in healthy animals?

    <p>Contact with tainted tissues from infected animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of native cellular prion protein deforming into the infectious state in the brain?

    <p>Formation of protein aggregates and dense plaque fibers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a notable sign of BSE in cattle?

    <p>Increased aggression</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the current limitation in diagnosing BSE?

    <p>Inability to diagnose the disease in live animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term used to describe the microscopic appearance of the brain in BSE-affected animals?

    <p>Holes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the suspected origin of BSE in cattle, according to one of the leading hypotheses?

    <p>Transmission from scrapie in sheep</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term used to describe the gradual loss of coordination and balance in BSE-affected animals?

    <p>Ataxia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the method used to detect BSE in cattle?

    <p>Neuropathological and immunohistochemical methods</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Urea Poisoning in Cattle

    • Urea poisoning, also known as ammonia poisoning, is a common toxicity in cattle in the Top End.
    • Urea is used as a source of non-protein nitrogen (NPN) in feed supplements, which can be metabolized by rumen microflora to synthesize protein.
    • Excess consumption of urea can lead to ammonia poisoning, as the rumen microflora cannot metabolize it quickly enough.
    • Causes of urea poisoning include:
      • Excess consumption of urea
      • Sudden introduction to high quantities of urea
      • Irregular consumption of urea
      • Wet supplement containing urea
      • Urea separating out from the supplement after transport
    • Signs of urea poisoning include:
      • Twitching of ears and facial muscles
      • Grinding of the teeth, frothy salivation
      • Bloat, abdominal pain
      • Frequent urination, forced rapid breathing
      • Weakness, staggering, violent struggling, and terminal spasms
    • Diagnosis is based on history of access to urea and signs shown by live, affected animals.
    • Laboratory tests of blood samples are not very helpful, and no specific changes are seen at post-mortem examination.
    • General indicators of urea poisoning include:
      • History of access to urea
      • Laboratory testing of collected blood and rumen fluid
      • Post-mortem examination showing bloat, white foam in airways, ammonia odour, and rumen pH 7.5-8.0
    • Recommended feeding quantities of urea:
      • 35 g of urea per day is sufficient for a 400 kg cow (approximately 0.1 g/kg body weight)
      • Urea should provide no more than 3% of the concentrate ration, or 1% of the total feed intake
      • No more than one-third of the total nitrogen intake should be NPN
    • Toxic levels of urea:
      • 0.3-0.5 g/kg/day (e.g. 120-200 g for a 400 kg cow) is considered toxic
      • 1-1.5 g/kg/day (e.g. 400-600 g for a 400 kg cow) can be fatal
    • Treatment is rarely effective, but may involve:
      • Passing a stomach tube to relieve bloat and drenching the animal with a large volume of cold water and 5% acetic acid or vinegar
      • Rumenotomy and removal of rumen contents for valuable animals
    • Prevention measures:
      • Start with pure salt and gradually introduce urea supplement
      • Ensure regular access to supplement
      • Prevent over-consumption of supplement mix or blocks
      • Feed supplement mixes or blocks under a roof to prevent urea getting wet and dissolving

    Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)

    • BSE, also known as mad cow disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease in cattle that causes a spongy degeneration in the brain and spinal cord.
    • Causes of BSE:
      • Misfolded prion protein
      • Transmission can occur when healthy animals come in contact with tainted tissues from others with the disease
    • Signs of BSE:
      • Cows affected by BSE are usually apart from the herd and show progressively deteriorating behavioral and neurological signs
      • Increase in aggression
      • Cattle will react excessively to noise or touch and will slowly become ataxic
      • Systemic signs of disease, such as a drop in milk production, anorexia, and lethargy
    • Diagnosis:
      • Diagnosis of BSE continues to be a practical problem
      • Incubation period is months to years, during which there are no symptoms
      • Diagnosis can only be made by examining post-mortem brain tissue using neuropathological and immunohistochemical methods

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    Description

    This quiz covers urea poisoning in cattle, its symptoms, and effects. Urea is used as a non-protein nitrogen source in feed supplements, but excessive intake can lead to toxicity.

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