Clinical and analytical study in cows with enzootic calcinosis triggered by intake of oat grass | Klinische Verlaufsuntersuchungen bei Kühen mit enzootischer Kalzinose
2006
Gasteiner, J., HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein (Austria). Institut für Artgemäße Tierhaltung und Tiergesundheit | Franc, S. | Guggenberger, T. | Häusler, J. | Podstatzky, L. | Schilcher, F. | Steinwidder, A.
Enzootic calcinosis is a common disease in ruminants in alpine regions caused by intake of golden oat grass. The aim of our study was to compare different stages of enzootic calcinosis with changes of clinical signs and blood parameters. Additionally the use of sonography for in vivo diagnosis of enzootic calcinosis was evaluated. 12 non pregnant dairy cows were fed a ration containing up to 90 % golden oat grass as silage for a period of 100 days. 12 cows served as control group receiving silage free of golden grass. Average vitamin D3-content was 4,700 IE/kg DM in golden oat grass silage and it was less than 200 IE/kg DM in control cows ration. Mean daily DMI differed significantly (p0,001) and was 7,6 kg in test cows and 16,3 kg in control cows. Depression of feed intake in test group started 3 weeks after beginning of the trial, but no calcification, examined by ultrasonography, could be observed at this time. The significant decline (p0,001) of body weight (mean -81,0 kg) in test group can be seen as a consequence of malnutrition and is connected with clinical symptoms like declining body temperature and erected pelage. Mean serum Ca was 2,49 mmol/l in test group and 2,63 mmol/l in control group (p0,005). Serum P and serum Mg differed significantly (p0,001) between test and control group (P: 1,98 vs 2,68 mmol(l; Mg; 1,11 vs 0,85 mmol/l). Three weeks after stopping supplementation with golden oat grass no significant difference in blood parameters between the two groups could be observed. Mentioned blood parameters can only be used as a diagnostic indicator for enzootic calcinosis when the animal is fed golden oat grass at the same time of blood sampling. Otherwise false negative results will be obtained. To evaluate the significance of sonography, the findings were compared with histopathological results after slaughtering. Sensitivity of ultrasonographic examination was 60 % in renal findings, 75 % in abdominal aorta and 50 % when examining cardiac valves. Specificity was 83 % in kidneys, 90 % in abdominal aorta and 100 % in cardiac valves. Beside anamnestic investigations, proper clinical examination of patients, determination of proportion of golden oat grass in ration and blood examination, ultrasonographic examination can be a helpful additional tool for diagnosing enzootic calcinosis in cattle in vivo. Examinations were conducted in accordance to national animal protection laws.
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