The Occurrence of Conditioned and Simple Copper Deficiency in Cattle and Sheep in Setesdalen, a Valley in the Southern Part of Norway

Abstract

In Setesdalen, a valley in the Southern part of Norway, con ditioned copper deficiency as well as simple copper deficiency have been found in cattle. The authors describe 40 cases of conditioned copper deficiency and 10 ca ses of simple copper deficiency. The occurrence of simple copper deficiency is limited to one district only, while the conditioned copper deficiency is found in different parts of the valley. Spectrographic analyses are carried out of grass, hay and soil from the area. These analyses show molybdenum contents up to 17 p. p. m. in grass from the area with conditioned copper deficiency. In the district of simple copper deficiency, the highest molybdenum figures found are 3 p. p. m. The copper values in grass from the area of conditioned copper deficiency are normal or slightly subnormal, with an average of about 6.6 p. p. m. In the district of simple copper deficiency they are generally lower, with an average of about 5.5 p. p. m. Statistic tests of significance are carried out on the mineral variations between the separate districts. The good agreement be tween clinical observations and analytical results is discussed. The symptoms of conditioned copper deficiency and simple copper deficiency are fairly equal, with the expection of diarrhoea, which is not observed in any cases of simple copper deficiency, but in 83 per cent of the cases of conditioned copper deficiency. Skeleton disturbances associated with copper deficiency are not observed in Setesdalen..A marked lowering of the haemoglobin values is not proved as a invariable symptom. Other symptoms are lack of appetite and unthriftiness, decreased yield of milk, and fading of the hair-layer, especially in the face and on the neck. Cases of enzootic ataxia (Swayback) are seen in the copper deficient area. In sheep, a lot of other cases, presumably due to copper deficiency, have also been observed. The treatment has been administration of copper supplies orally or by intravenous injection, results of which have been discussed. Finally a survey of the sampling technique and analytical methods is given.