Urophagia in lactating cows associated with nitrogen deficiency in the diet - case reports

ABSTRACT This article describes two cases where adult dairy or beef cows, fed exclusively with corn or sorghum silage, began to ingest urine greedily. Providing 20 to 40g of urea/100kg of body weight was able to suppress urophagia in these two herds. In a situation where adult cows, not supplemented with protein concentrates, are ingesting urine, professionals should suspect a nitrogen deficiency in the diet. The diagnosis can be confirmed if urophagia stops after 15 to 21 days of supplying 20 to 40g of urea/100kg of body weight. Differential diagnoses of Na and Co deficiencies should be considered in episodes of urophagia.