These are diseases of livestock caused by productivity practices when
the body reserves on calcium, magnesium or energy can not meet the metabolic
needs. They are very important in places where high producing animals are
required, e.g. in diary industry. In cattle, metabolic diseases include
ketosis, milk fever, fat cow syndrome, and hypomagnesaemia. All these can
produce an acute, temporary, but potentially fatal deficiency. Correcting
the diet for cows during the period from late pregnancy to peak lactation
is crucial in preventing these diseases. If these diseases occur frequently,
it is essential to seek professional veterinary and nutritional advice.
Metabolic diseases in cattle include ketosis, milk fever, fat
cow syndrome, and hypomagnesaemia.
Prevention:
All the above diseases result from nutritional deficiencies during the
crucial period from late pregnancy to peak lactation when body reserves
on calcium, magnesium or energy can not meet the metabolic needs. Correcting
the diet for cows during this crucial period is the key to the prevention
of these diseases. If metabolic diseases occur frequently, it is essential
to seek professional veterinary and nutritional advice
KETOSIS
Clinical signs:
Ketosis usually occurs within a few days to a few weeks after calving.
It is characterised by a sudden drop in appetite and milk yield, constipation,
mucus covered faeces, depression, a staring expression, loss of weight,
and a humped back suggesting mild abdominal pain. Some animals may develop
nervous signs such as salivation, chewing, incoordination, blindness and
aggression.
Treatment:
Effective treatment can be achieved if it is administered in time. Ketosis
can be treated by intravenously injecting 500 ml of 40% glucose, plus twice
daily oral dosing of 150 ml of propylene glycol (a glucose precursor) for
4 days.
MILK FEVER
Clinical signs:
Milk fever usually occurs one or two days before or after calving. Loss
of appetite and a slight drop in temperature are the first signs of milk
fever. Later, the animals may exhibit some unsteadiness as they walk. More
frequently, a sick animal may be found lying on her sternum with her head
resting on the shoulder. The eyes are dull and staring and the pupils dilated.
If untreated, the cow becomes comatose and dies within a day of the appearance
of the first signs.
Treatment:
Effective treatment can be achieved if it is administered in time. Milk
fever can be treated with slow intravenous infusion of 600-800 ml of 20%
calcium borogluconate.
FAT COW SYNDROME
Clinical signs:
Fat cow syndrome most commonly occurs in fat cows which were heavily
fed in early pregnancy, but suffer severe nutritional stress during the
2 months before calving. After calving, the affected cows lose their appetite
and become weak. The pulse is small and fast, and droppings are small and
firm. Sternal recumbency follows. There is a greater than normal clear
nasal discharge. The respiration is rapid and grunting. About a week after
the first signs appearing, the cows become comatose and die quietly.
Treatment:
Effective treatment can be achieved if it is administered in time. Fat
cow syndrome, treatment is generally ineffective, especially if the cows
are already recumbent. Anabolic steroids and supportive therapy with glucose,
fluids and electrolytes IV, and propylene glycol, fluids and electrolytes
orally is recommended.
HYPOMAGNESAEMIA
Clinical signs:
Hypomagnesaemia occurs most commonly in adult cows which are lactating
heavily and are grazing on lush grass pastures, and in calves reared predominantly
on a diet of milk. In peracute form of the disease, affected animals may
be grazing normally, but suddenly develop staggers, fall and undergo severe
paddling convulsions. These convulsion periods may be repeated at short
intervals and death quickly follows. In many cases, animals at pasture
may be found dead without illness having been observed. Acute cases are
similar apart from the animals survive a few hours during which periods
of convulsion followed by quiet periods. In subacute cases, affected animals
may progress to the acute or peracute, convulsive stage after a period
as long as 2 to 3 days. All cases of hypomagnesaemia are characterised
by loud heart sounds and rapid heart rate.
Treatment:
Effective treatment can be achieved if it is administered in time. For
cases of hypomagnesaemia, use the same treatment as for milk fever, plus
subcutaneous injection of 200 ml of 50% magnesium sulphate.
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Department of Primary Industries - Queensland