METABOLIC DISEASES CaDDiS Home Page



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.
 

WWW Sites of Relevance

Department of Primary Industries - Queensland

University of Pennsylvania - School of Veterinary Medicine

Purdue University