Clinical and metabolic consequences to cattle of rumen overdosing with di-ureido iso-butane (DUIB)

Di-ureido iso-butane (DUIB) was overdosed on three occasions to two year-old bullocks, under experimental conditions. Six g/kg live weight of DUIB was mixed manually into the rumen contents formed by a predominantly hay diet (10 kg) with added concentrates (2 kg). Marked clinical signs were observed for 72 h before recovery. Food and water intake were interrupted and a smell of ammonia saturated the accommodation. Blood concentrations of urea-nitrogen increased, while glucose fell; a metabolic alkalosis was present. Rumen VFA concentrations fell, but without altering the proportions of the individual acids present, pH increased, urea-nitrogen and ammonia-nitrogen concentrations fluctuated markedly. The pH of duodenal contents increased. Clinical recovery appeared complete after six days with biochemical homeostasis nearly restored.