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July 20, 2006 Nitrate Poisoning Rare in Horses Drought has the potential to cause nitrate poisoning in horses, North Dakota State University Extension Service equine specialist Carrie Hammer warns. However, the danger to horses is not as great as it is for cattle and sheep, she says. Nitrate poisoning has become a concern for livestock owners this year because of the dry conditions in many parts of the state. Nitrates normally are found in forages and usually are not toxic to animals. However, some forages can accumulate large concentrations of nitrates in dry conditions. High levels of nitrates can cause problems such as abortions and death in animals. Ruminant animals, such as cattle and sheep, are extremely susceptible to nitrate poisoning because their digestive process converts nitrate to nitrite, which in turn is converted to ammonia. “The same reaction takes place in the cecum (hindgut) of the horse; however, it occurs to a much lesser extent, and thus horses are generally tolerant of rather high concentrations of nitrate,” Hammer says. “Nitrate poisoning is considered to be very rare in horses, and is more likely to be associated with exposure to a fertilizer spill than with grazing forages.” The symptoms of nitrate poisoning in horses are similar to those in cattle. They include difficulty breathing, bluish-colored mucous membranes, weakness, tremors and possibly death. For more information on nitrate poisoning, visit the NDSU Extension drought information page, www.ag.ndsu.edu/drought/. ### Source: Carrie
Hammer, (701) 231-5682, carrie.hammer@ndsu.edu |
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