Urea Poisoning in Goats

Goats digest feed in a forestomach called a rumen. A rumen contains microorganisms that break down grasses into essential nutrients used by goats. Since rumen bacteria degrade consumed proteins, goat owners usually add excess protein to goat diets. One nonprotein source--urea--resists degradation and is used effectively by goats. Since urea digestion by goats is so efficient, owners need to be careful of urea poisoning.

  1. Function

    • Urea is the most common nonprotein nitrogen source fed to ruminants. It reduces the amount of protein required in the diet, thus reducing feed costs to the owner. This synthetic product is specifically manufactured for feed and fertilizer use. A ruminant animal utilizes proteins from feed and urea in exactly the same way, and the cost-savings of using urea may be substantial.

    Physiology

    • Microbes living in the goat's rumen require feeding to produce enzyme byproducts. Thus, roughage given to goats provide food for the microbes. The enzymes break down proteins consumed by the animals and create ammonia. The ammonia is used by the bacteria to create more protein, but excessive amounts are absorbed in the bloodstream and flow into the liver. If the liver is overloaded with ammonia, the rumen's functional ability becomes impaired and the animal develops ammonia toxicity.

    Symptoms

    • Effects of urea poisoning appear 30 to 90 minutes from the time of urea ingestion. One early sign of urea poisoning is muscle tremors, especially on the face and ears. Others include frothy salivation, abdominal pain, tooth grinding, trouble breathing and excessive urination. As poisoning progresses, the tremors increase and walking becomes impossible. Death occurs two to four hours after urea ingestion.

    Treatment

    • Poisoning of goats by ingestion of excess urea is rapidly progressive. Call a veterinarian immediately if urea poisoning is suspected. As a treatment, five-percent acetic acid (vinegar) is given orally. The acid will reduce the high pH in the rumen, which was caused by the excess ammonia. Also, iced water administered orally is used to chill the rumen, reducing poisonous reactive activity.

    Prevention

    • Careful analysis of urea is required in goat feed. It should be limited to one percent of the total diet. Animals must be allowed to slowly adapt to the addition of urea to feed, and once they do they must continue to be fed the same amount. A temporary absence of urea, then adding it back, results in toxicity. Also, diets low in energy and high in fiber can result in urea poisoning. Only use urea with high-quality feed products.