Hypomagnesemia Tetany in Cattle

Abstract

Grass tetany, sometimes called grass staggers or hypomagnesemia, can be a serious problem in Syria with cattle grazing small grain or ryegrass pastures. hypomagnesemia tetany has been known under a variety of names, including magnesium tetany, lactation tetany and grass staggers, but most of these terms have been discarded because the disease is not always associated with lactation or with grazing animals. The exact cause of hypomagnesemia tetany in ruminant animals is a dietary deficiency of magnesium that may be a contributory factor. Some research workers consider the condition to be caused by a cation-anion imbalance in the diet, and Some research workers believe that high intake of the element (K & Na) may interfere with the absorption and metabolism of magnesium in the animal, which may be an important factor in the etiology of hypomagnesemia tetany. Although the exact cause of hypomagnesemia is still uncertain, the primary factor would appear to be inadequate absorption of magnesium from the digestive tract. A high degree of success in preventing hypomagnesemia may be obtained by increasing the magnesium intake. This can be effected by feeding with magnesium rich mineral mixtures or, alternatively, by increasing the magnesium content of pasture by the application of magnesium fertilizers.