Macro Mineral Imbalances Flashcards
What mineral deficiency is referred to by the terms staggers and grass tetany?
Magnesium deficiency
What are some of the main clinical signs of grass staggers?
Hyperasthesia/sound sensitivity Staggering and collapse Muscle Tremmors Poor appetite (chronic) Depressed milk yield (chronic) Increased HR
What are some of the causes of a Mg deficiency?
Low Mg in diet (e.g. fresh grass) Poo intake (rain) Poor absorption -Low K -Low N -Fast passage (lush grass)
What forms can Mg be administered in?
MgO in concentrates
Mg Oral bolus
Mg tablets/flakes in water
What do the following terms refer to?
Bovine parturient paresis
Acute flaccid paralysis
Milk Fever
Hypocalcaemia
What is the normal blood range for Ca in cattle?
2.3 to 3.2 mmol/l
What would be a possible Dx for the following clinical signs?
Sternal recumbancy
Cold extremities
Pupil response delayed
Bloat
Moderate severity clinical hypocalcaemia
What other mineral might be good to administer in a case of milk fever?
Mg as it is a cofactor in many aspect of Ca homeostasis
What prevention strategies are there for preventing milk fever?
Low Ca in dry cow diet High Ca in milking cow ration Make sure adequate Mg Adequate DCAB diet Drench/Bolus before calving
What might a happy downer cow be suffering from?
Phosphorus deficiency
What does DCAB stand for?
Dietary cation anion balance diet
Cations: Na & K
Anions: Cl & S
What should the DCAB be?
Cations - Anions = -200mmol/kg DM or below i.e. less than negative 200. (-200)
What would an inappropriate cation:anion balance lead to?
Increased blood pH.
What is the benefit of lowering blood pH by providing an excess of anions?
This creates a more acidic blood pH which results in utilisation of Ca stores in order to buffer the blood. This can have the effect of reducing incidence of milk fever.
How can DCAB be monitored?
By measuring urine pH (5.5-6.5)
