Synonyms

 

No known synonym

 

Name of the disease in English

 

Acorn poisoning

 

The disease in brief

 

This is a poisoning due either to the massive ingestion of a large quantity of acorns or oak leaves, or to prolonged ingestion over several days which release toxic tannins with a constipating effect on the intestine and causing acute tubular necrosis, with the accompanying renal failure.
The disease is observed especially during periods of rationing, and after dry summers which favour the production of acorns, or after strong winds which cause quantities of acorns to fall to the ground. Some cattle are fond of it, which often leads to their death.

 

Clinic & diagnosis

 

At the end of summer-autumn, cattle slaughtered in pastures - often collective - we notice:

 

- Changes in the droppings vary depending on the stage of development: Constipated cattle (towards the form of horse droppings) or with scanty, mucous or dried-out feces, or nothing in the rectum or only white mucus, or dark to black droppings in normal (or almost normal) quantities or red or black hemorrhagic diarrhea.

 

-Or breath or exhaled air with an ammoniacal odor

 

-Sometimes bruxism/grinding of teeth

 

Given these symptoms, a dipstick urine test showing proteinuria and marked to severe glycosuria suggests tubular necrosis; if circumstances permit, acorn poisoning is suspected. Poisoning by young shoots or oak bark has been reported.

 

Typical sign of the disease

 

No description

 

Pictures

 

See below

 

Diagnostic formulas

 

No description

 

Differential diagnosis

 

All uremic syndromes: look at the circumstances of appearance. Access to the toxic substance should allow suspicion to be made.

- Renal tubular necrosis/amyloidosis N35

-Amaranth poisoning N22

-Poisoning by Marsh Narthecia N435

-Poisoning/Aminoglycosides or other nephrotoxic N435

 

Confirm a suspicion?

 

Do a urea and creatinine test, which are significantly increased (>0.5g/L, and >14 mmol/L).

Autopsy: remains of acorns and/or leaves found in the ruminal contents. Congestive and hemorrhagic lesions of the digestive tract, black and sticky digestive contents.

 

 

Prognosis and treatment

 

CNITV data show a mortality rate of 11% on exposed cattle and a lethality rate of 24%, which makes it a formidable poisoning. To treat the sick, it is first necessary to eliminate access to the toxic substance and also to put in place:

 

-A large volume infusion of isotonic sodium chloride of more than 6 l/100kg/day.

 

-A large volume drenching will supplement the water intake and can provide calcium and potassium.

 

-Furosemide is useful if urine volume is decreased.

-To assess the importance, you must first rely on the animal's clinic. As with any uremic crisis, the animal's tolerance varies from one individual to another. Don't forget that when you treat, there are still acorns in the rumen! 

 

Prevention

 

Monitor acorn growth and place a seasonal warning in the agricultural press, so that breeders do not forget to be vigilant.

 

References

 

Jouve C. (2009) Contribution to the development of a website on plant toxicology in ruminants: Monographs of the main plants incriminated according to data from the CNITV-Th. Med .Vet. Université Claude Bernard-Lyon1 271p