With acorn numbers particularly high this year, NFU Cymru is urging farmers to be especially vigilant and to move animals away from areas with large numbers of acorns, fallen leaves and twigs, or fence off the area to restrict access.
Acorns contain gallotannin which gets broken down to gallic acid and tannic acid. This can cause ulcers in the digestive tract, kidney failure causing them to stop working, which can result in death. Acorns can also cause birth defects.
Symptoms
Symptoms of poisoning can start to show within hours or after several days.
Symptoms are progressive and begin with a lack of appetite, constipation, which is followed by small quantities of dark coloured faeces, which may contain blood.
The animal experiences:
- Abdominal pain
- Breathing difficulties
- A weakening pulse
- Mucous membranes becoming pale
- Convulsions may be seen before death
Livestock keepers:
— Gavin Watkins (@CVOCymru) October 26, 2022
There is a bumper crop of acorn this autumn, and @APHAgovuk have reported incidents of acorn poisoning in cattle and sheep. Keep grazing animals away from areas with large numbers of acorns on the ground.
What to do if acorn poisoning is suspected
Farmers suspecting acorn poisoning in their stock should remove the animals from the source, give them plenty of water and contact a vet immediately.
NFU Cymru National Policy Adviser, Tori Morgan said: “We have been contacted by a number of members reporting the problems they’ve had with acorn poisoning. With acorns in abundance this year, we’re urging livestock farmers to be particularly vigilant and report any suspected cases to their vet immediately.”