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- Title
Hypovitaminosis A in extensively grazed beef cattle.
- Authors
Parker, EM; Gardiner, CP; Kessell, AE; Parker, AJ
- Abstract
Case report Vitamin A deficiency was diagnosed in a herd of 97 19-month-old Braford heifers in the Mitchell Grass Downs (Astrebla spp.) bioregion of Hughenden in north-western Queensland during November 2015. Two heifers died after a 48-h history of sternal recumbency and of the 19 that had neurological signs, 7 were blind. Histological changes in the optic nerves of the two necropsied cattle were consistent with vitamin A deficiency. This diagnosis was supported by vitamin A concentrations in fresh liver samples of 5 and 6 mg/kg wet tissue (reference range, 100-175 mg/kg) despite treatment of the cattle with twice the recommended dose of parenteral vitamin A 3 weeks prior to sampling. Rainfall on the property during the 2 years before the outbreak was less than the annual rainfall average of 464 mm, with a total of 281 mm in 2014 and 117 mm from January to November in 2015, most of this falling in January. Conclusion Plant assays for both β-carotene and crude protein concentrations in dry matter ( DM) were less than the recommended dietary requirements for beef cattle (0.30 mg/kg DM and 56 g/kg, respectively).
- Subjects
BEEF cattle diseases; VITAMIN A deficiency in animals; VITAMIN A in animal nutrition; DRY matter in animal nutrition; NUTRITIONAL requirements
- Publication
Australian Veterinary Journal, 2017, Vol 95, Issue 3, p80
- ISSN
0005-0423
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/avj.12560