Acute poisoning in small ruminant by accidental ingestion of fertilizer (Urea)

D. Deepak1, S. Yadav1, A.K.Chaudhary1, A.K.Das1 and UK De1

1-Division of Veterinary Medicine, ICAR –Indian Veterinary Research Institute –Izatnagar, U.P
India -243122
On the basis of various findings suggested that intake of 25-45g urea could potentially
kill a goat within an hour. A 7 months old non-descript male caprine buck weighing around 20
kg is presented to referral veterinary polyclinic IVRI, Izatnagar, India with the history of
accidently ingesting urea. The buck started showing clinical signs after half an hour of urea
intake. Clinical signs recorded were acute distension of abdomen(bloat),severe abdominal pain,
lateral recumbency with rigidly extended limbs, grinding of teeth, frothy discharge from nostril
and mouth, respiratory distress, opisthotonous , muscle fasciculation, bleating and paddling.
Clinical examination reveals congested mucosa, polypnoea, tachyarrythmia and pupillary
dilation, blinking of eye. Laboratory examination of ruminal fluid showed pH of rumen fluid
shifted towards alkaline side (8.0) with marked reduction of microfauna in the ruminal fluid. The
case was successfully managed by performing emergency procedure of rumen puncture, and
acidifying the rumen by infusing 300ml of 2%acetic acid (vinegar) , followed by administration
of 20-30ml vinegar with large volume of cold water BID for 3 days. The goat was also
administered with Inj. Normal Saline @ 25ml/kg body weight along with Inj. Dexamethasone@
2mg/kg, Inj. Atropine Sulphate @ 0.02mg/kg body weight intravenously. Replacement therapy
of rumen microfuna was performed by infusion of 100ml of fresh rumen liquor collected from
locally slaughtered goat. Next day animal was presented without signs of bloat and all the
physiological parameters were within normal range.