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Consumption of Sodium Chloride Water by Heifers¹

University of Nevada, Reno²

Abstract

In a change-over experiment, six heifers averaging 481 lb. initial weight were supplied drinking water containing 0, 1 or 2% added NaCl for 30 days. The season was winter.

The added 1% NaCl caused a 52.8% increase in water consumption and a decrease in blood urea. No other effects were noted. This concentration of salt in the drinking water was not deleterious to growing cattle over a 30-day period.

Two percent NaCl was definitely toxic. It caused severe anorexia, weight loss and anhydremia. Animals were lethargic and rectal temperatures were lowered. Blood serum sodium was raised significantly within 10 days. Serum potassium also tended to increase. Blood urea was decreased below levels observed on tap or 1% NaCl water. Two heifers collapsed when further stressed (hauled by truck) after 30 days on 2% salt water. They showed tetany and were revived by intravenous calcium, magnesium and glucose, and by rumen infusions of water and nutrients. The eosinopenia of non-specific stressors was not seen with salt water stress.

¹ Conducted in cooperation with Western Regional Research Project W-46, The Effects of Environmental Stresses on Range Cattle and Sheep Production.

² Department of Animal Husbandry.