Abstract
Since 1982, farmers in the North West province and other parts of South Africa have noticed an increase in the incidence of lameness in cattle. Macro- and microscopical lesions of joints resembled osteochondrosis. Pre-trial data indicated that cattle with osteochondrotic lesions recovered almost completely when fed a supplement containing bio-available micro- and macrominerals of high quality. In the present trial, 43 clinically affected cattle of varying ages (1–5 years) and sexes were randomly divided into three groups. Each group was fed the same commercial supplement base with differing micro- and macromineral concentrations to determine the effect of mineral concentrations on the recovery from osteochondrosis. Both supplements 1 and 2 contained 25% of the recommended National Research Council (NRC) mineral values. Additional phosphate was added to supplement 2. Supplement 3, containing 80% of the NRC mineral values, was used as the control. Results from all three groups indicated no recovery from osteochondrosis. Urine pH of a small sample of the test cattle showed aciduria (pH < 6). Supplement analysis revealed addition of ammonium sulphate that contributed sulphate and nitrogen to the supplement. Supplementary dietary cation anion difference (DCAD) values were negative at -411 mEq/kg, -466 mEq/kg and -467 mEq/kg for supplements 1, 2 and 3, respectively, whereas the pre-trial supplement was calculated at +19.87 mEq/kg. It was hypothesised that feeding a low (negative) DCAD diet will predispose growing cattle to the development of osteochondrosis or exacerbate subclinical or clinical osteochondrosis in cattle.
Highlights
Since 1982, farmers in the North West province and other parts of South Africa have noticed an increase in the incidence of lameness in cattle
Results of the pre-trial emphasised the importance of determining the concentration of minerals necessary to be included in a supplement that would benefit cattle suffering from clinical osteochondrosis
Investigation of cattle clinically affected by osteochondrosis in the North West province on a herd basis revealed that bulls were more prone and severely affected than cows, with young animals more frequently affected than adult animals (Prozesky et al 2016)
Summary
Since 1982, farmers in the North West province and other parts of South Africa have noticed an increase in the incidence of lameness in cattle. Clinical signs included varying degrees of lameness and peri-articular swelling, especially of the stifle joints. Peri-articular swelling as a result of inflammation (Trostle et al 1998) can be noticed and is most evident in the elbow and stifle joints. Several immature Brahman cattle of both sexes (exact number unknown) suffering from varying degrees of lameness and peri-articular swelling (clinical osteochondrosis) were included in a feeding trial ( referred to as the pretrial) during December 2012 at Onderstepoort. The clinically affected cattle responded positively with a marked decrease in the severity of lameness and size of the peri-articular swelling (unpublished data). Results of the pre-trial emphasised the importance of determining the concentration of minerals necessary to be included in a supplement that would benefit cattle suffering from clinical osteochondrosis. This study was conducted to investigate the required mineral levels that would promote clinical improvement of cattle with clinical osteochondrosis
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