Content
Cattle poisoning with table salt is a serious disorder that can lead to the death of the animal in a matter of hours. Inexperienced farmers and owners of private farms often recognize the symptoms of this dangerous condition in the later stages. To prevent poisoning and avoid the death of cattle, every owner must be able to recognize the first signs of an overdose and become familiar with the rules for assisting an animal with salt intoxication.
Causes of table salt poisoning
Table salt (sodium chloride) is an important component of the cattle diet. Most feeds and feed mixtures do not satisfy the animal’s need for vital macroelements - sodium and chlorine. These important macroelements, concentrated mainly in the soft tissues and biological fluids of the body, perform the following functions:
- regulation of water exchange in the body;
- maintaining acid-base balance, osmotic pressure and volume of fluids in the body;
- chlorine is part of gastric secretions (hydrochloric acid), which is necessary to create an acidic environment in the stomach and activate digestive enzymes;
- sodium promotes the absorption of glucose in the intestines and activates the action of the amylase enzyme.
In the cattle diet, the content of these macroelements is normalized by introducing table salt. With proper organization of cow feeding, the required amount of table salt is calculated based on the weight of the animal. For cattle, the rate of consumption of table salt per day is 5 g per 100 kg of weight. For high-yielding cows, the salt rate is increased by another 4 g per 1 liter of milk yield.
The need for mineral supplements in cattle increases when they eat silage. Ensiled feed has a more acidic pH, so to neutralize the acids, the animal's salivary glands produce a secretion with a higher sodium bicarbonate content than, for example, when feeding roughage or fresh grass.
An excess of table salt in the diet of cattle can lead to intoxication. Most often, salt poisoning in cows occurs:
- with excess intake of sodium chloride with feed;
- after a long salt fast;
- with insufficient watering.
Symptoms of salt poisoning in cows
Signs of salt intoxication appear approximately 1-2 hours after consuming excess amounts of sodium chloride. Salt poisoning in cattle can be identified by the following symptoms:
- lack of chewing gum and appetite;
- grinding of teeth;
- vomiting, shortness of breath;
- profuse drooling;
- strong thirst;
- hypotension of the forestomach;
- frequent urination;
- diarrhea;
- depression, weakness.
When consuming a large dose of salt, the content of sodium ions in the blood plasma exceeds the norm by 1.5-2 times. The components of table salt are deposited in the soft tissues of the body, the permeability of cell membranes, osmotic pressure in the tissues and their dehydration are disrupted.Due to an imbalance in the electrolyte balance (Na/K and Mg/Ca), depolarization of the protein-lipid membrane of the cells of the nervous system occurs and, as a consequence, a disorder of reflex activity and overexcitation of the nervous system occurs. In case of salt poisoning in cattle, muscle tremors, convulsions and paralysis of the limbs can also be observed. In calves with salt poisoning, as in adult animals, the following are observed:
- impaired coordination of movements;
- rapid breathing;
- decrease in body temperature;
- opisthotonus.
When cows are regularly fed feed and mixed feed with a high content of sodium chloride (subtoxic doses), chronic intoxication occurs, which is characterized by diarrhea, frequent urination and a general depressed state.
Treatment of table salt poisoning in cattle
Excess sodium in the body leads to metabolic disorders, oxygen starvation (hypoxia) and death of the animal. Signs of acute poisoning appear soon after consuming excess amounts of sodium chloride.
When the first symptoms of salt poisoning appear in cattle, treatment should be started immediately. First of all, you need to seek help from a veterinarian. Only a specialist will be able to differentiate table salt intoxication from other types of poisoning.
In order to prevent dehydration, a sick animal must be provided with plenty of water. If the animal is unable to drink on its own, water is administered through a feeding tube or rectally.An antidote is administered intravenously - a 10% calcium chloride solution according to the dosage and depending on the weight of the animal (1 ml per 1 kg), a glucose solution (40%) intravenously at 0.5-1 ml per 1 kg of animal weight.
Orally prescribed:
- milk;
- vegetable oil;
- starch solution;
- decoction of flaxseed;
- adsorbents.
Prognosis and prevention
In case of acute poisoning and rapid development of clinical signs, the prognosis is unfavorable. The sooner symptoms of intoxication are identified and appropriate measures are taken, the greater the chance of recovery for the animal.
To prevent salt intoxication of cattle, it is necessary:
- comply with the norms for giving salt, taking into account the age, physiological condition and productivity of the animal;
- after a long salt fast, mineral supplements must be introduced gradually;
- provide free access to clean, fresh water.
When purchasing mixed feed, you must carefully study its composition. In feed for cattle, the sodium chloride content should not exceed 1-1.2%. Unscrupulous manufacturers often exceed this standard, since table salt is a fairly cheap raw material.
Conclusion
Poisoning of cattle with table salt is quite common. Intoxication occurs after salt starvation or consumption of feed (compound feed) with a high content of sodium chloride. When the first signs of illness are detected, the animal owner should provide first aid as soon as possible and call a veterinary specialist. Severe poisoning with sodium chloride is practically not treated. The sooner treatment is started, the more favorable the further prognosis.
