Some Studies on Deviated Appetite (Pica) in Cattle

Abstract

This study was carried out on Thirty two non-pregnant lactating cows aged (5±0.5) year in Behera governorate, Egypt. All cattle were admitted to clinical and laboratory examination. Accordingly, the chose cattle were divided into two groups. Group (I) consisted of 22 cow showed signs of pica. Group (II) consisted of 10 healthy cows used as a control. The most visual signs are ingesting materials that are generally uneatable for cows like wood, paper, plastic and so on, continuous hair, floor and manager licking with decrease in the body weight and loss of conditions. The biochemical findings reveals mild significant decrease (p < 0.05) in serum glucose and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentration, with moderate significant decrease (p < 0.01) in serum Zinc, Copper, Iron, Cobalt, Magnesium and Selenium concentrations and sever significant decrease (p < 0.001) in Phosphorus concentrations in group (I). There is mild significant increase (p < 0.05) in BUN and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, with moderate significant increase (p < 0.01) in Creatinine, AST and Bilirubin concentrations and sever significant increase (p < 0.001) in ALT concentration in pica group. In the other hand there is no significant difference in serum calcium and total protein concentration between two groups. Key words: Antioxidant, biochemical parameters, pica, cattle.