What is Nitrate toxicity?
Nitrates build up in the plant when there is a surplus of nitrogen in the soil. This then builds up in the plants and their leaves. Nitrate levels are usually higher at the base of the plant and levels can fluctuate overtime.
This is why we recommend testing crops or new grasses before grazing animals. High nitrate levels can be deadly.
Nitrate levels will increase in plants when plant growth has been affected.
This can happen after…
🌱Frosts
🌱Cloudy or cool weather
🌱Nitrate fertilisers
🌱Drought stress
🌱Rapid growth or fast-growing plant species
Nitrate toxicity signs to look out for:
☁️Rapid, difficult and noisy breathing. Animals may be gasping or open mouth breathing.
☁️Staggering (like they are drunk) due to lack of oxygen to the brain.
☁️Muscle tremors and weakness
☁️Salivating and frothing at the mouth
☁️Comatose or dead animals, some may be down and bloated
☁️Bluish/chocolate brown colour of the mucous membranes (gums, third eyelid and vulva)
☁️Dark ‘chocolate coloured’ blood
☁️Abortion of pregnant animals (this can occur 14 days after nitrate toxicity)
Prevention:
☁️Testing samples of new grass and crop in clinic especially after a risky weather.
☁️Avoid putting hungry stock onto risk feed; give them some safe feed such as hay or silage first.
☁️Check the animals 1-2 hours after you put them on a new break.
☁️Check after each new break not just the first break of a paddock. Cases of poisoning have been reported on the 3rd or 4th break of a paddock after no sign of trouble on the earlier breaks.
☁️Feed risk crop late in afternoon as sunshine will reduce nitrate levels.
☁️Don’t let animals graze kale, rape or ryegrass too hard: the plant parts closest to the soil (stem) contain the highest concentration of nitrate.
This is a veterinary emergency if you suspect you have a nitrate toxicity give us a call ASAP.