Effect of ammonium chloride supplementation on urine pH and urinary fractional excretion of electrolytes in goats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether dietary supplementation with ammonium chloride would affect urine pH or urinary fractional excretion (FE) of electrolytes in goats fed grass hay. DESIGN: Clinical trial. ANIMALS: 15 yearling castrated male goats. PROCEDURES: In the dose response study, 3 yearling goats fed orchard grass hay and water ad libitum were administered ammonium chloride at either 200, 400, or 500 mg/kg (91, 182, or 227 mg/lb), PO, every 24 hours. In the FE study, 8 goats fed orchard grass hay were randomly divided into either a treatment (n=4) or a control group (4). In the treatment group, ammonium chloride was administered at 450 mg/kg (2.25% of dry matter intake [DMI]), PO, every 24 hours for 8 days. The FE of electrolytes was compared between groups; FE measurements were also determined for 4 client-owned goats fed alfalfa hay. RESULTS: Ammonium chloride administered at 450 mg/kg (2.25% of DMI) achieved and maintained urine pH<6.5 for 24 hours. Goats fed orchard grass hay with ammonium chloride supplementation had significantly higher FE of calcium and chloride than did goats fed orchard grass hay without supplemental ammonium chloride. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dietary ammonium chloride supplementation at a dose of 450 mg/kg may be necessary to achieve a urine pH<6.5 in goats. Further studies of ammonium chloride supplementation and urolithiasis in goats fed low-calcium diets are indicated.

Urolitíase em caprinos e ovinos / Urolithiasis in sheep and goats

A urolitíase é uma doença freqüente no semi-árido em ovinos e caprinos alimentados com grãos, principalmente quando a relação Ca:P não é corrigida e são utilizadas grandes quantidades de concentrado. De 28 ovinos com urolitíase atendidos no Hospital Veterinário da UFCG, 19 morreram e 9 receberam alta, dos 15 caprinos 12 morreram e 3 receberam alta. As alterações mais freqüentes foi presença de cálculos na uretra e bexiga, uretrite hemorrágica difusa severa, uretrite purulenta, ruptura de uretra com presença de urina no tecido subcutâneo, cistite hemorrágica necrosante, ruptura de bexiga, hidronefrose, nefrite necrosante difusa, abscesso renal, pielonefrite, hemorragia renal e ruptura renal. A gravidade das lesões observadas justifica a alta letalidade apesar dos tratamentos medicamentosos e cirúrgicos. A medida preventiva mais importante é a correção dos níveis de Ca e P. Recomenda-se, também, a administração de volumosos em boa quantidade e qualidade e, nos casos em que a quantidade de concentrados seja superior a 1,5 por cento do peso vivo, a administração de cloreto de amônia a 1 por cento no concentrado e a administração de cloreto de sódio em concentrações de 0,5 até 4 por cento. Deve ser administrada água de boa qualidade à vontade. É necessário abolir a prática, extremamente utilizada em caprinos e ovinos, de administrar sal mineral em animais alimentados com grãos e subprodutos dos mesmos.

Urolithiasis is a common disease in the Brazilian semiarid in rams and bucks fed with grains, mainly with low C:P ratio. From 28 rams with urolithiasis sent to the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Campina Grande, Paraíba, 19 died and 9 survived, and from the bucks, 13 died and 3 survived At necropsy the main lesions were presence of calculi in the urethra and urinary bladder, diffuse purulent urethritis, hemorrhagic necrotizing urethritis, rupture of the urethra with presence of urine in the subcutaneous tissue, hydronephrosis, urinary bladder rupture, necrotizing diffuse nephritis, pyelonephritis, renal hemorrhage, and renal rupture. The severity of the lesions is responsible for the high case fatality rate despite medical and chirurgic treatment. The most important preventive measure is the correction of the Ca:P ratio to at least 2:1. The administration of good quality roughage in the food is also necessary. In cases in which the amount of concentrate food is higher than 1.5 percent live weight, the addition of 1 percent ammonium chloride and 0.5-4 percent of sodium chloride in the diet could be also necessary. Water had to be offered ad libitum. It is necessary to abolish the use of ad libitum mineral supplementation in sheep and goats fed grains or their byproducts.

Seasonal variation in selenium status of different classes of grazing goats in a semi-arid region of Pakistan.

The selenium status of three different classes of goats ((i) female lactating, (ii) female non-lactating, and (iii) male goats) grazing semi-arid pasture in the southern part of the Punjab province, Pakistan and that of selenium concentration of soil and dietary sources, ingested by those animals were investigated during two different seasons of the year (winter and summer). Soil, forage, feed, water from the pasture and blood plasma, urine, faeces, and (if applicable) milk from these goats were collected fortnightly. The samples were analyzed for selenium concentrations. Soil selenium showed both seasonal and sampling periods effect on its concentration while forage selenium was affected only by the seasonal changes. No significant effect of seasons or fortnights on feed selenium level was observed. In fecal samples selenium concentration in lactating and non-lactating and plasma of male goats were affected by sampling periods. While fecal selenium in male goats showed significant effect on its concentration both seasonal and within fortnights. Severe deficient level of soil selenium during both seasons and marginal deficient level of forage selenium during summer were observed. Selenium concentrations in feed slightly exceeded the requirements of ruminants in feed during both seasons of the year. Plasma selenium concentrations in all goat classes were higher in winter than that in summer showing no seasonal or fortnight variation and its concentration was slightly lower in lactating goats as compared to other classes. On the bases of these results, it is concluded that overall selenium status of the goats based on plasma selenium concentration may be considered adequate mainly due to the mineral supplement provided all over the year, since soil and forage selenium concentrations were low to deficient.