16. Diagnostics, therapy, and prevention of vitamin disorders in ruminants

What are the functions of vitamins in ruminants?

They function in enzyme systems for energy production, metabolism regulation, growth, production, reproduction, and general health.

Which vitamins can be synthesised by ruminal microflora?

Vitamin B complex and vitamin K.

When is vitamin deficiency more likely to be observed in ruminants?

In high-producing animals, malabsorption, stress, young animals, or due to underlying disease.

What are the two roles of Vitamin A in the body?

Formation of rhodopsin in the eye for vision in dim light and the formation/protection of epithelial tissues and mucosal membranes.

What is the main precursor for Vitamin A found in plants?

Carotene, especially in yellow corn.

What are the clinical signs of Vitamin A deficiency?

Impaired rhodopsin formation, night blindness, roughened hair, retarded growth, and weakness.

How is vitamin A deficiency diagnosed?

Vitamin A levels in the liver, serum, and diet.

What is the most active form of Vitamin D?

1.25-dihydroxycholecalciferol.

What is the function of Vitamin D in calcium and phosphorus metabolism?

It increases absorption of phosphorus from the intestine and enhances calcium and phosphorus reabsorption from the kidneys.

What are the clinical signs of Vitamin D deficiency?

Metabolic bone diseases such as poor growth and leg weakness.

What may result from hypervitaminosis D?

Enzootic calcinosis

What are the roles of Vitamin E in the body?

Antioxidant protection against free radicals, protection of phospholipids from peroxidation, muscle integrity, amino acid synthesis, and immune function.

What are examples of sources of vitamin E?

Green fodders, young grass, leaves, cured hay, alfalfa meal, whole grains and germ parts of grain.

What are the clinical signs of Vitamin E deficiency?

White muscle disease and sudden death.

What are the types of vitamin K?

1. Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone)

2. Vitamin K2 (menaquinone)

3. Vitamin K3 (menadione)

What is the role of Vitamin K in blood clotting?

It is necessary for the synthesis of prothrombin, which enables blood clotting by converting fibrinogen into fibrin.

What are the sources of Vitamin K?

Green leafy materials, animal products (egg yolk, liver, fish meal), and bacterial synthesis in the digestive tract.

What are the clinical signs of Vitamin K deficiency?

Anaemia, weakness, hypovolemic shock, haemorrhagic diathesis, and haemorrhage.

What are the clinical signs of Vitamin K toxicity?

Jaundice, haemolytic anaemia, thrombosis, and sudden death.

How is vitamin K deficiency diagnosed?

Clinical signs, low plasma prothrombin, increased clotting time, feed analysis

What is the treatment for vitamin K deficiency?

Blood crystalloids, vitamin K1

What is the primary function of Vitamin C in the body?

Maintenance of collagen metabolism, osteoblast formation, matrix mineralisation, bone resorption, and iron transport.

What are the clinical signs of Vitamin C deficiency?

Scaly skin and hair loss.

What is the main role of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) in the body?

It functions as a coenzyme in energy and protein metabolism, and the nervous system.

What is a common clinical sign of Vitamin B1 deficiency in ruminants?

Polioencephalomalacia.

What are clinical signs of thiamine deficiency?

Poor growth, poor appetite, poor weight gain, vomiting, hypothermia, sudden death.

What is the function of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in the body?

It is involved in hydrogen transport in chemical reactions and is important for carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism.

What are the sources of vitamin B2 (riboflavin)?

All biological materials as it is synthesised by green plants, yeast, fungi, and most bacteria. However it is poorly found in cereal grains.

What are the clinical signs of Vitamin B2 deficiency?

Poor appetite, retarded growth, vomiting, skin eruptions, eye abnormalities, stillbirth, anoestrus, and reproductive failure.

What are the active coenzyme forms of Vitamin B3 (Nicotinic Acid/Nicotinamide)?

NAD and NADP.

What are the clinical signs of Vitamin B3 deficiency?

Inflammatory lesions of the GIT, rough skin and coat, and dermatitis on the ears.

What is the role of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) in metabolism?

It is a constituent of CoA, an important coenzyme of acyl transfer, and aids in wound healing.

What are the clinical signs of Vitamin B5 deficiency?

Anorexia, ataxia, bloody diarrhoea, posterior paralysis, and alopecia.

What is the primary function of Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) in the body?

It is a coenzyme in amino acid metabolism and transformation into other nitrogenous compounds.

What are the clinical signs of Vitamin B6 deficiency?

Convulsions, spasms, ataxia, coma, anaemia, and fatty liver.

What are post-mortem lesions associated with vitamin B6 deficiency?

Bone marrow hyperplasia, haemosiderosis, anaemia, fatty liver.

What is the function of vitamin B7 (biotin)?

Prosthetic group of several enzymes that catalyse the transfer of CO2 from one substrate to another.

(Hair, nails, pigment, CNS)

What are the clinical signs of Vitamin B7 (Biotin) deficiency?

Excessive hair loss, skin ulcerations, dermatitis, transverse hoof cracking, and inflammation of mucous membranes.

What is the availability of biotin in common feeds like barley and wheat?

It is very low.

What is the relationship between Vitamin E and selenium in metabolic functions?

They work together to protect phospholipids from peroxidative damage.

What is Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) involved in?

Nucleic acid metabolism and haemoglobin synthesis.

What are the clinical signs of Vitamin B9 deficiency?

Anaemia, poor weight gain, and loss of hair colour.

What is the source of Vitamin B4 (Choline) in the body?

It is synthesised from methionine.

What are the functions of Vitamin B4 (choline)?

Lipid transport and absorption, cell membrane structure, and cell signalling.

What are the clinical signs of Vitamin B4 deficiency?

Incoordination, vomiting, dyspnoea, anorexia, and poor milk yield.

How is Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) synthesised?

Exclusively by microbes in the rumen from cobalt.

What is Vitamin B12 essential for?

Folate metabolism, erythrocyte maturation, DNA synthesis, and nerve protection.

What are the clinical signs of Vitamin B12 deficiency?

Ill-thrift, weight loss, poor growth, pale mucous membranes, and anaemia.

What is the treatment for Vitamin B12 deficiency?

Dietary supplementation of cobalt and parenteral administration of Vitamin B12.

What are the subclinical signs of Vitamin B12 deficiency?

Low serum Vitamin B12, low lymphocyte count, and enlarged liver.

What are the clinical signs of Vitamin B7 deficiency?

Dermatitis and cracked hooves.

What should be done if too much selenium is supplemented?

Remove the source, give fluids, chelation therapy, and antioxidants (Vitamin E).

Which B vitamins are especially important for dairy cattle?

B3 and B7.

When are B3 and B7 needs elevated in dairy cattle?

Right before and during the first weeks of lactation.

What is the difference in presentation between polioencephalomalacia and white muscle disease?

Polioencephalomalacia presents with CNS signs (ataxia, blindness, opisthotonus, star-gazing); white muscle disease presents with musculoskeletal/cardiac signs (muscle weakness/stiffness, difficulty standing, sudden death).

Is white muscle disease reversible, and in which species is it mainly seen?

The skeletal form is reversible if caught early, and it is mainly seen in lambs.

What is the main difference between Vitamin A deficiency and thiamine deficiency?

Thiamine deficiency presents with opisthotonus and star-gazing, while Vitamin A deficiency causes night blindness.

Which vitamin increases the uptake of certain minerals?

Vitamin D.

What is the most common vitamin disorder in ruminants?

Vitamin A deficiency.

What is the commercial name for the combination vitamin injection?

Triavit (ADE).

Which vitamin is crucial for the reproductive system and why?

Vitamin A, for spermatogenesis, preventing abortions, and preventing retained placenta.

What is the difference between the application of water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins?

Water-soluble (B and C) are given IV; fat-soluble (ADEK) are given IM or SC.

What are the clinical differences between enzootic ataxia and polioencephalomalacia?

Polioencephalomalacia has CNS signs (ataxia, blindness, opisthotonus, star-gazing); enzootic ataxia has CNS and skin/wool signs (ataxia, weakness, rough or depigmented wool, wool falling out).

Is polioencephalomalacia reversible?

Yes, it can be treated with thiamine hydrochloride and dexamethasone.

Which vitamins are necessary for lipomobilisation in dairy cows?

B7 and B12.