Content
Rickets in young cattle is a dangerous chronic disease characterized by impaired phosphorus-calcium metabolism and vitamin D deficiency, accompanied by bone degeneration, muscle weakness, and impaired functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems of young cattle. This dangerous disease can appear at any time in the life of a young animal. However, most often rickets is diagnosed in calves in the first months of life, as well as in growing young cattle for fattening.
Reasons for the development of rickets in young animals
Hypovitaminosis D is a disease of young growing animals associated with vitamin D deficiency, an imbalance of phosphorus and calcium in the body. Leads to the development of rickets. Also, rickets can occur against the background of a deficiency in the body of other vitamins, vital micro- and macroelements, as well as with insufficient ultraviolet radiation and gastrointestinal diseases.
The main causes of rickets in young cattle:
- vitamin D deficiency;
- violation of the ratio or deficiency of calcium and phosphorus in the body of a young animal;
- gastrointestinal diseases;
- violation of acid-base imbalance in the body;
- lack of exercise;
- no exposure to ultraviolet rays in the summer (stall-free housing), in winter and spring - no UV irradiation through mercury-quartz lamps;
- keeping in dark, damp and cold rooms.
The cause of rickets in calves during the neonatal period is a violation of vitamin and mineral metabolism in the cow’s body, as well as monotonous and meager feeding of a pregnant animal. This disease often occurs in calves born to cows with hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia.
This disease can manifest itself at any period of growth and development of young cattle. Most often, young animals under the age of one year suffer from rickets.
Symptoms of rickets
Rickets in young cattle develops slowly, so it is quite difficult to determine the presence of this disease in the first days.
Calves born from cows with metabolic disorders are very weak. A clear symptom of rickets in newborn calves is poorly developed bones. When palpating the hind limbs, pelvic bones, and lower back, pain is noted.
Also typical symptoms of rickets are:
- enlarged joints;
- limb weakness;
- incorrect positioning of the forelimbs and their deformation;
- the appearance of the so-called “rachitic rosary” - compactions of the thoracic (distal) ends of the ribs;
- change in shape (deformation) of the skull bones.
In calves affected by rickets, in the first weeks and months of life, there is a refusal to feed and a perversion of appetite. Calves begin:
- eat dirty litter, soil, dry feces;
- lick fur;
- chew walls;
- drink slurry.
Against the background of a perverted appetite, calves with rickets develop gastroenteritis and diarrhea. The fur of calves with rickets becomes dull and disheveled, and the skin loses its elasticity. In calves affected by rickets, as a rule, the replacement of teeth is delayed. Their wobbling and loss are also noted. Young cattle sometimes experience frequently recurring attacks of suffocation and muscle cramps (tetany).
In calves 3-6 months old, there is a delay in development and a lack of weight gain. The animal moves little and remains mostly in a lying position. Sick calves stand up slowly and often move their limbs. The front legs of an animal with rickets in a standing position are widely spaced.
In severe cases of rickets in calves, the following are observed:
- breathing problems;
- myocardial dystrophy;
- tachycardia;
- anemia.
Rare movements of a calf with rickets are accompanied by a characteristic crunching sound in the joints and lameness. The movements of a sick animal are very slow, tense, and the steps are shortened. When palpating the joints, pain is noted. Bone fractures often occur in seriously ill animals.
Young cattle aged one year also suffer from this disease. In well-developed and well-fed animals, body weight gain rates decrease as a result of poor eating (lack of appetite) and low digestibility of feed.
Heifers with rickets lie for a long time, show no interest in feeding, and move in short steps. When examining the heifer, there is an increase in joints, curvature of the spine, limbs are brought under the body.
Diagnosis of the disease
When making a diagnosis, a veterinary specialist evaluates the animal’s feeding diet and analyzes the clinical signs of the disease. When making a diagnosis, laboratory (biochemical analysis) blood parameters are also taken into account with the determination of:
- concentrations of calcium and phosphorus in the blood of a sick animal;
- reserve blood alkalinity;
- alkaline phosphatase activity.
If necessary, a veterinary specialist should conduct an x-ray or histological examination of the tissue of the epimetaphyseal zone of bones. Rickets in young animals has similar symptoms to:
- articular rheumatism;
- white muscle disease;
- Level disease;
- hypocuprosis (or acuprosis).
Therefore, when making a differential diagnosis of rickets in young cattle, a veterinary specialist must exclude these diseases.
Treatment of rickets in calves
When rickets is detected in newborn calves and young cattle, sick animals must be isolated from healthy ones and placed in a dry, warm and spacious room.
First of all, it is necessary to reconsider the diet of young animals. It should consist of easily digestible feed, rich in protein, vitamins A, D, calcium, phosphorus, macro- and microelements.
Sick animals are introduced to the diet and increased feeding:
- juicy grass;
- vitamin hay from clover and alfalfa;
- red carrots;
- whole milk and skimmed milk;
- yeasted feed.
The following are used as mineral supplements:
- shell and bone meal;
- feed chalk;
- tricalcium phosphate, calcium glycerophosphate.
When treating rickets in young cattle, oil and alcohol solutions and emulsions of vitamin D are prescribed.
Ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) is prescribed intramuscularly:
- long-term treatment with fractional doses of 5-10 thousand IU for a month or more;
- 75-200 thousand IU every 2-3 days (for 2-3 weeks);
- single dose 500-800 thousand IU.
Complex drugs are also used in the treatment of rickets:
- "Trivitamin" (a solution of vitamins D3, A and E) is prescribed orally, 5-10 drops daily or intramuscularly, 1-2 ml once or three times a week;
- "Tetravit" (solution of vitamin D3, F, E and A) intramuscularly, 2 ml once or twice a week.
Calves with rickets are prescribed fortified fish oil at 0.4-0.5 g per 1 kg of animal body weight. Orally during feeding three times a day, for 7-10 days.
Calves with rickets are irradiated with UV lamps. Group irradiation of calves is carried out in special rooms. In good sunny weather, young animals should be allowed out for walks in spacious walking yards.
Forecast
With timely detection of the disease (especially in the early stages), as well as with proper treatment, an animal with rickets quickly recovers. If symptoms of the disease are detected late, the diagnosis is incorrect, and complications occur, the prognosis is unfavorable or questionable.
The course of the disease in young cattle is chronic. Rickets in calves is dangerous due to the following complications:
- bronchopneumonia;
- anemia;
- severe exhaustion;
- myocardial dystrophy;
- chronic gastroenteritis;
- catarrh of the stomach and intestines;
- decrease in the resistance of the young animal’s body to infectious diseases.
Preventive actions
Prevention of rickets in young cattle involves a whole range of veterinary and zootechnical measures. First of all, calves need to be provided with a complete diet. Deficiencies of vitamins, micro- and macroelements are compensated by introducing vitamin-mineral complexes into the diet of young animals.
Calcium, phosphorus, vitamins B, D, A and E are especially necessary for animals during pregnancy and feeding calves with colostrum. Pregnant cows 4-6 weeks before the approximate date of calving are given intramuscular injections of a vitamin D preparation - 250-1000 thousand IU. In case of mineral or D-vitamin deficiency in cows, when colostrum is first given to a newborn calf, 50 thousand IU of vitamin D should be fed.
The room where young animals are kept should be spacious, bright and warm. It is unacceptable to keep animals crowded in damp, dark rooms. In summer and sunny weather, young animals need to be provided with exercise in the fresh air. In spring, autumn and winter, it is necessary to organize irradiation under special ultraviolet lamps.
Conclusion
Rickets in young animals occurs as a result of a violation of mineral metabolism in the body, as well as a deficiency of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus. This dangerous disease is primarily a consequence of violation of feeding standards, maintenance of calves and pregnant cows. With timely treatment, sick calves recover quickly; in severe cases, they die from serious complications.
