RADIO TRANSCRIPT

Date: October 19, 2020
Agent: Damon Pollard

This is Damon Pollard with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service-Burke Center. Today’s program is on Acorn Poisoning in Cattle.

Acorn poisoning is not usually much of a problem. But in some years, particularly when it’s dry, there’s an unusually large acorn crop, it can get pretty bad. This is not one of those dry years and most cows won’t eat many acorns if there’s good grass available. And Acorns don’t seem to cause any problems for squirrels, deer or hogs. But certain cows love eating them even when the grass is good. The toxic element seems to be related to tannic acid and is concentrated in the shells. It generally
affects cows and large calves although baby calves can be affected through the milk.

The first symptoms are constipation followed by an abnormal dark diarrhea. Cattle in advanced stages will have a gaunt, humped up appearance with a diarrhea stained rump and tail. In mild cases this may be the only result. In severe cases, kidney damage can occur and will cause death within several days. Sick cattle should be tested to make sure the problem is not anaplasmosis or blackleg.
The only treatment is to prevent the animal from eating acorns by either cutting down the trees or fencing the cattle out of them. If kidney damage has been done, recovery is rare but animals may be saved if they are confined and fed a low protein diet.

This is Damon Pollard, Livestock Agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service – Burke Center. If you would like more information, please call us at 439-4460.