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  Discussion on Are Cattle Protein Tubs Poisonous?
Author Message
Member:
theresab

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 3, 2012 - 9:21 pm:

Long story short I discovered the Protein tub placed in my pasture 3 weeks ago is a 24% Protein Cattle tub. I checked it tonight and saw the side says "Not recommended for horses or other equines". I rolled the tub out of the pasture but now I'm worried if I've poisoned my 3 horses to some degree. None of them is showing any overt symptoms of poisoning. There wasn't too much taken out of it but I can't really gauge which horse at the most or all of it. They get some natural grasses but it sparse at this time of year. I feed high quality coastal hay twice a day and a complete feed in the evenings. I just try to supplement their diets a bit in the winter when the natural vegetation dies back.

The side of the tub says the following:
Crude Protein 24% min (16% equivalent from non-protein nitrogen)
Crude Fat 4% min
Crude Fiber 5% max
Acid Detergent Fiber 9.0% max
Calcium 3% min 4% max
Phosphorus 0.5% min
Salt 5.5% min 6.5% max
Potassium 0.5% min
Magnesium 2% min
Cobalt 0.2ppm min
Copper 20 ppm min
Manganese 55 ppm min
Zinc 75ppm min
Iodine 2.1 ppm min
Selenium 1 ppm min
Vitamin A 16000 lu/lb (I think that's the right units, it's dark outside)
Vitamin D 4000 lu/lb
Vitamin E 43 lu/lb

Ingredients: Molasses products, plant protein products, processed grain by-products, vegetable oil, lecithin, condensed fermented corn extracts, urea, sulfuric acid, salt, lignin sulphate, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, ground limestone, ammonium sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, Vitamin D Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Ethylenediamine dihyDrOiodide, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Sulfate.

Is there anything I should keep an eye out for now that it's been removed? Or if there isn't anything noticeable at this point will they probably survive my oversight?

I've learned my lesson, I'm the only one allowed to purchase and feed things to my horses.
Member:
judyhens

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 4, 2012 - 3:34 pm:

Hi Theresa, if there is a phone no. on the bag you might call them just to ask why they feel that equines should not consume it. At least you would know what the company was concerned about. Love your picture of the horse "smiling". My gut feeling is you are out of the woods, but, like you, I would want to be certain. Perhaps Dr. O will have insight!
Blessings,
Judy
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 4, 2012 - 4:35 pm:

Hello Theresa,
As with everything toxic it has to do with the amount consumed. Probably the most toxic substance in the above list is the non-protein nitrogen which appears to be mainly urea. If this were going to be a problem I believe you would already see colic and/or neurological symptoms.

The biggest concern with feeding horses cattle food is the frequent presence of one of the ionophore growth promoters, which are very toxic to horses. I do not see any listed above but there have been cases where cattle feed becomes contaminated with the ionophores do to previous storage of treated feed and it is not listed. For more on ionophore poisoning see HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Nervous System » Dementia: Depression, Excitement, Coma » Ionophores and Livestock Feed Poisoning.
DrO
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