This is the copy of a letter a friend received from Dr. Faries at A&M in reply to her question on Acorn poisoning.<br>I'm pleased to reply to your e-mail request for information on acorn<br>poisoning in cattle.<p>Green acorns are high in tannins, whereas mature, brown acorns are not.<br>When green acorns fall prematurely, because of winds, and are eaten in large<br>numbers, the tannins irritate the stomach and intestines, are absorbed into<br>the blood, excreted through kidneys, and irritate the kidneys and bladder.<br>Degree of severity depends on quantity and duration of acorn consumption.<p>Symptoms :<p>Diarrhea initially - usually black because of blood in G-I tract from<br>gastritis/enteritis<br>Rapid weight loss - poor digestion, inadequate nutrition, dehyration<br>Tucked, drawn abdomen - dehydration from kidney disorder/failure<br>Constipation - black, because dehydrated<br>Tail out, straining - bladder irritated, constipated<br>Wobbling - weakness<br>Down, uable to rise<p>Diagnosis :<p>Symptoms observed<br>Cattle consuming large quantities of green acorns<br>Blood test for kidney failure - BUN, Creatinine blood levels increased<p>Treatment :<p>Fluid electrolytes - oral, intravenous<br>Hay, grain, protein cubes/blocks/meal<br>Drinking water<p>Prevention :<p>Until acorns are brown - Move cattle, fence off/close gate from acorns<br> Hay, protein supplement<br>(cubes, block, meal)<br> Protein cubes with 10%<br>calcium hydroxide(hydrated lime)<p>Other causes for a cow to hold her tail out, for you to consider are : she's<br>in heat, she has a bladder infection, she has a womb infection, she's<br>constipated because low intake of grass/hay, or she's even got a diarrhea;<br>all could be related to reasons other than acorn poisoning. I'll copy my<br>reply to you for Billy Gillum.<p>Buddy Faries<p>Floron C. Faries, Jr., DVM, MS<br>Extension Program Leader<br> for Veterinary Medicine<br>409.845.4353<br>409.862.3795 fax<br>
[email protected]<br>: Acorns?...Does anyone really know the effect on cattle eating acorns and just how much do they have to eat before it affects them. Is there anything you can do for the ones that are eating them.........this is a problem in the south.<p>
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