A brief overview on common salt toxicity in pig and poultry

Although common salt is a necessary component that is included in animal feed and rations, the amount that is consumed is what renders it harmful. Toxic effects from consuming too much sodium chloride is known as "water deprivation syndrome." All animals, including humans and poultry, can become poisoned, although pigs and fowl are the most vulnerable.

Sources of poisoning: Feeds containing excessive amounts of common salt, accidental over- ingestion of common salt, or excessive licking of salt licks kept on the property, especially when the animals have been on restricted salt supply or after a period of salt deprivation for quite a while, can cause the animals to experience salt cravings or salt hunger. Carnivores can also experience salt hunger by consuming excessive amounts of salty meat or brines flavored  with meat and feeding swill to pigs. Low levels of vitamin E and amino acids including sulphur, salt whey from cheese manufacturers or waste from salted seafood, oil fields because salt water is an effluent from the manufacturing of oil. Salt poisoning can also occur when animals are given too much sodium sulphate or another sodium salt.bc