metabolic disease in farm animals

METABOLIC DISEASES IN FARM ANIMALS

Metabolic disease- refers to a group of conditions caused by deficiencies in certain essential nutrients

• in one or more of the following

• fats

• protein

• carbohydrates

• minerals

• vitamins

• water

commonly occur at high times of high physiological stress or demand for these nutrients

• ex late pregnancy, early lactation

The signs of these conditions can overlap and look similar

• can have more than one disease

KETOSIS- carbohydrate deficiency

• affect primarily dairy cows

• negative energy balance (use fat reserve)

Symptoms

• loss appetite

• weight loss

• decreased milk production

• acetone smell in breath-milk

• nervous sign (aggression, excessive salivation)

• dull coat

MILK FEVER- (hypocalcemia) mineral deficiency (low calcium)

• affect dairy cows, (post-calving)

• due to high demand for calcium during lactation

Symptoms

• effect contraction/relaxation of muscles

• weakness or inability to stand

• muscle tremors

• decreased milk production

• loss of appetite

• rapid breathing

Treatment, calcium drip, then increase calcium in feed

FATTY LIVER DISEASE (HEPATIC LIPIDOSIS)

• It affects dairy cow, goats, and other ruminants

• too much carbs and fats

• overnutrition during late pregnancy or early lactation

• fat accumulation in the liver

Symptoms

• reduced appetite

• weight loss

• dull coat

• decreased milk yield 

• lethargy

HYPOMAGNESEMIA (GRASS TETANY) Spring disease

• affect cattle, sheep, and goats

• Magnesium deficiency is often seen in grazing on lush pastures with low magnesium content. 

Symptoms

• muscle tremors

• increase heart rate

• convulsions

• death if untreated

MILK OR LACTATION TETANY

• calcium and magnesium deficiency 

• affect dairy cows, early lactation period

Symptoms

• restlessness

• muscle tremors

• incoordination

• collapse

milk production 

- calcitonin- calcium in blood (from bone)

-parathyroid hormone (PTH)- calcium out of blood (to bone)

HYPOGLYCEMIA (low blood sugar)

• affects mostly neonates or animals under stress

• low blood sugar from inadequate intake

Symptoms

• weakness

• lethargy

• tremors

• collapse or death (severe cases)

RUMEN ACIDOSIS (ACIDOTIC DISEASE)

• affect cattle, sheep, goats and sometimes pigs

• consumption of high carbs, low fiber

• overproduction of lactic acid in rumen

Symptoms

• loss of appetite

• diarrhea

• bloating

• lameness

NITRATE POISONING

• Affects cattle, sheep, and goats

• high levels of nitrates in forages or water (fertilizer or polluted water sources)

Symptoms

• brown-colored mucus membrane

• rapid breathing

• lethargy

• death (severe cases)

PARTURIENT PARESIS (POSTPARTUM PARALYSIS)

• Affects dairy cows sheep and goats

• occur immediately after calving

• calcium or phosphorus deficiency

Symptoms

• inability to stand

• weakness

• reduced appetite

TOXEMIA OF PREGNANCY (PREGNANCY TOXEMIA)

• affect sheep and goats (late pregnancy)

• poor nutrients or energy imbalance

• fat mobilization and production of ketone bodies

Symptoms

• decreased appetite

• weakness, lethargy

• coma death (severe cases)

anemia- deficiency in iron or vitamin B12, B6