Differential diagnosis
- Acute nitrate poisoning
- Cyanide poisoning
- Organophospate and organochlorine insecticide
  poisoning
- Enterotoxemia
- Grain engorgement


Etiology
- Improper mixing or formulation of non protein
  nitrogen rations
- Feeding urea to ruminants unaccustomed to non
  protein nitrogen
- Using high level of urea in rations low in energy
  and protein and high in fiber
- Giving animals free access to a palatable source of
  urea concentrate


1. History taking
- Ingest dry granular fertilizers containing ammonium
  salts and urea
- Drink liquid fertilizers in farm animals


2. Clinical examination
- Frothy salivation
- Grinding of the teeth
- Kicking at the abdomen
- Polyuria
- Muscle tremors
- lncoordination
- Weakness
- Rapid breathing
- Bloat
- Violent struggling and bellowing
- Tetanic spasms

3. Necropsy
- Detect the odor of ammonia
- Rumen pH of 7.5 or greater


4. Blood analysis
Specimen : blood
Method : analysis of ammonia nitrogen
concentration with ammonia test kit
- Normal level of blood ammonia nitrogen in
  cattle = 400 µg/dl


5. Rumen content analysis
Specimen : rumen content
Method : analysis of ammonia content with
spectrophotometer
- Normal level of ammonia nitrogen in rumen
  fluid = 80 mg/dl


Control
- Administer 5% acetic acid solutions or vinegar by
  ruminal infusion at doses of 0.5 to 1.0 liter in
  sheep and goats, and 2 to 6 liters in cattle
- Additional large infusions of cold water 5 to 10
  gallons in an adult cow
- Avoid stress (stressed animals utilize urea poorly)