The effect of dietary supplements on chronic bitterweed (Hymenoxys odorata) poisoning in sheep.
Academic Article
Overview
Research
Identity
Additional Document Info
View All
Overview
abstract
Two experiments were designed to establish a chronic bitterweed dose in sheep and to study the prevention of chronic bitterweed poisoning with dietary supplements of high protein (20% crude protein) and sodium sulfate. The first experiment consisted of 5 lambs in each of 3 groups. The low dose received up to 5.0 g bitterweed/kg/day which was equivalent to 10 mg hymenoxon/kg bw. The high dose group received a maximum bitterweed dose of 1 g/kg/day or 20 mg hymenoxon/kg. The final average weights of the low (29 kg) and the high (30 kg) dose groups were significantly different from the control (40 kg) group. The prophylactic experiment consisted of 5 groups of 4 sheep each. Each group received a different combination of bitterweed, a basal ration, soybean meal, urea, or sodium sulfate. The soybean meal and urea were used to adjust the ration to 20% crude protein, and each animal received 1.2 g bitterweed/kg/day. The high protein-sodium sulfate diet did not prevent chronic bitterweed toxicity, but soybean meal-sodium sulfate combination had the greatest effect on the reduction of bitterweed toxicity. Urea potentiated the toxic effects of bitterweed.