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