Case Study: Missing Minerals
By Kristy Stone
Case history: A mob of weaner calves purchased earlier in the year were showing signs of lethargy, poor growth, rough coats and diarrhoea. They had been drenched for intestinal parasites and fluke and given selenium supplementation. They were grazing lush pastures and provided with cereal hay.
Clinical examination: Clinical examination showed the cattle were in poor body condition, with rough hair coats and bad scouring that appeared to be resolving.
Bloods and faeces were collected and tested for selenium, liver fluke, intestinal parasites, pestivirus, liver and kidney function, chlamydia, Vit B12 and copper.
Diagnosis: The consistent abnormal finding with the cattle tested was a low level of copper in the blood indicating copper deficiency.
What does this mean? Copper is a trace mineral essential for tissue and bone growth, pigmentation, nerve function and red blood cell production.
The cause of copper deficiency can be complex but is generally associated with low copper levels in plants or ingestion of excessive levels of molybdenum and sulphur in pasture or feed supplements. Copper deficiency is typically seen on lush or irrigated pasture, coastal sandy soils, granite soils and pasture fertilised with molybdenum. High rainfall can cause leaching of minerals from soil, exacerbating deficiencies.
Common symptoms of copper deficiency include diarrheoa, ill thrift, poor weight gain, light hair coats, lameness, infertility and increased susceptibility to other diseases. Young animals and cows in late pregnancy are the most susceptible. Sheep are also affected by copper deficiency.
What can be done to prevent? Copper supplementation can provided via oral boluses, loose licks or injection however can cause toxicity therefore it is strongly recommended you test a portion of animals prior to determine if copper supplementation is required. Blood testing is the most convenient test (compared to liver biopsy) however it can miss marginal deficiencies. A discussion with your vet based on test results, clinical signs and history would be best to determine your approach to copper supplementation.
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Where are you from? Young.
