Trace Element Deficiencies

Question 1

What production losses do trace element deficiencies cause?

Answer 1

Reduced growth

Reduced immunity

Question 2

What clinical presentations are seen with copper deficiency?

Answer 2

Swayback
Changes in coat colour in cattle
Falling disease - collagen deficiency leads to rupture of the aorta

Question 3

What clinical presentations does selenium deficiency have?

Answer 3

White muscle disease

Cardiomyopathies

Question 4

What presentation does cobalt deficiency have?

Answer 4

Reduced growth - used to synthesise vitamin B12

Wool changes

Question 5

What symptoms does iodine deficiency show?

Answer 5

Weak neonates

Goitre

Question 6

What is the clinical presentation of iodine and selenium deficiency?

Answer 6

Stillbirth and weak calf syndrome

Question 7

What elements can bind copper on the pasture and make it deficient?

Answer 7

Iron

Molybdenum

Question 8

What group of animal is at risk of trace element deficiency?

Answer 8

Animals at grass with no concentrates

• beef cows and calves
• fattening cattle at grass
• New Zealand style dairy cows
• dairy heifers prior to the first calving

Question 9

What is the clinical presentation of copper toxicity and what breed is predisposed?

Answer 9

Haemolytic anaemia

Texel is predisposed

Question 10

How can you diagnose trace element deficiency?

Answer 10

History - pasture with no supplements or concentrates
Blood samples - copper, selenium
Co-vitamin B12
Plasma inorganic iodine + thyroid weight + histopathology

Question 11

How can you check copper levels in a cow before supplementation?

Answer 11

Livers from cull cows

Liver biopsy

Question 12

How can you supplement trace elements?

Answer 12

Drenches
Injectables 
Rumen boluses 
Abomasal boluses
Copper oxide boluses 
Flank painting iodine

Question 13

What injectable trace elements are available?

Answer 13

Copper
Cobalt
Cobalt and vitamin B12

Question 14

What rumen boluses are available?

Answer 14

Copper, selenium, iodine, cobalt