Nitrate toxicosis in beef and dairy cattle herds due to contamination of drinking water and whey
Yeruham, I.; Shlosberg, A.; Hanji, V.; Bellaiche, M.; Marcus, M.; Liberboim, M.
Veterinary and Human Toxicology 39(5): 296-298
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0145-6296 PMID: 9311087 Document Number: 482957
Four cases of rarely reported nitrate toxicosis due to contamination of drinking water or whey were recorded in 2 beef and 2 dairy cattle herds. In the cases associated with water contamination, water containing ammonium nitrate as a fertilizer for irrigating orchards accidentally entered drinking water troughs for cattle through malfunctioning 1-way valves. The whey contamination in 1 instance was caused by transportation in containers which contained traces of concentrated ammonium nitrate; the 2nd case was induced by whey derived from the production of a specialty cheese produced by the incorporation of nitrate. Mortality occurred in 2 herds and abortions in the 2 other herds. Affected cows responded well to treatment, but some animals remained in a deteriorated physical condition for several months.