Problems Which Can Frequently
Be Related to Nutrition

 

 

by Myra Bamberger - from Agribusiness Dairyman

As printed in United Caprine News / July 1996

 reprinted from REDGA Goat Notes

 

 

                                                  Paralytic Problems:

Problems:

Possible Nutritional Answers:

Milk Fever

 Ca/Phos. Ratio; Vit. D; inorganic sulfate

Downer milk fever 

The above + magnesium

Grass tetany 

Magnesium

Knuckling fetlocks, weak hindlegs

Vitamin E, Selenium, Copper

Nerve loss

Copper 

Ataxia 

Copper, copper-molybdenum

 

Breeding Problems:

Problems:

Possible Nutritional Answers:

Retained placentas, metritis

Copper, zinc, selenium, vitamin E

Lack of estrus

Copper, zinc, selenium, vitamin E

Tailess sperm in semen

 Selenium 

Lack of libido

Copper-molybdenum

 
Hoof Problems:

Problems:

Possible Nutritional Answers:

Hoof Rot 

Copper, iodine

Abnormal hoof growth 

Copper 

Soft hoof growth

Copper

Swollen fetlocks

Copper 

Laminitis

High rumen acid upsets copper absorption

Hairy wart resistance

Copper (nutrition), formaldehyde (foot bath)

  
Intestinal Problems:

Problems:

Possible Nutritional Answers:

Acidosis (pH balance)

Sodium bicarbonate

Low butterfat test

Sodium bicarbonate

Undigested feed in manure

Copper, cobalt

Scouring 

Copper, molybdenum

Worm resistance

Copper, molybdenum 

Low production

Copper, zinc, manganeses, inorganic sulfate 

Abnormal appetite

Copper, cobalt

                                                                
Metabolic Problems:

Problems:

Possible Nutritional Answers:

High somatic cell count

Copper, zinc, selenium, Vitamin E

Ketosis

Copper, inorganic sulfate

White muscle disease

Selenium

Pneumonia

Copper, zinc, selenium, Vitamin E

Heart abnormalities

Copper, selenium, magnesium

Anemia

Iron, copper, cobalt

Tongue lolling

Copper

Retarded growth

Copper, molybdenum

Sudden death

Copper, selenium, grease & nitrate

Off-flavor milk

High iron (feed or water; Vitamin E

High culling rate

Poor mineral nutrition program

Fat cow syndrome 

Copper, inorganic sulfate 

Hair off color, no bloom

Copper, selenium 

 

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