METABOLIC DISEASE OF LIVESTOCK

• Those diseases which are caused by metabolic disturbances or imbalance of different nutrient materials commonly occurring in dairy cows and pregnant ewes and characterized by heavy economic loss due to loss of production is called metabolic disease of livestock.
• Major metabolic diseases of livestock:
  • Milk fever (Calving paralysis)
  • Ketosis
  • Downer’s cow syndrome
  • Grass tetany/Lactation tetany
  • Eclampsia
  • Pregnancy toxemia

Milk Fever:

• It occurs most commonly at the time of parturition within 48-72 hour.
• It occurs due to low blood calcium level.
• Mostly affected animal: Cow and buffalo
• Age: 5-10 year of age (more common)
• Breed: exotic breed of cattle is more susceptible.
• Season: winter season, i.e. Sept. – Dec.
• Stage of lactation:
  • 3% cases occur before calving
  • 6% cases occur at time of calving
  • 91% of case occurs post calving
    • 75%- 24 hours
    • 12%- 24-48 hours
    • 4%- 48 hours

Etiology:

• Sudden loss of calcium from serum; normal: 10-12 mg/dL , in milk fever it reaches to 2.7 mg/dL
• Excess drain of calcium through colostrum and milk
• Excess intake of calcium in dry period
• Deficiency of vitamin D
• Improper Ca: Mg ratio (6:1)
• Improper Ca: P ratio (2:1)