As the summer progresses, the spring is nothing but a distant memory, but the odd problem still arises which keeps us vets on our toes.
I was recently called to a farm to a six-month-old Jersey-cross heifer which apparently was acting “strangely”.
I was greeted by the concerned farmer who showed me the heifer in question, which was certainly not in her right mind.
She was staggering around the pen, very disorientated and bumping into gates on a constant basis.
On examination, the animal had no clinical abnormalities apart from the obvious blindness in both eyes and was also very sensitive to touch.
The farmer had a suspicion that the animal may have had meningitis, but in fact the animal was suffering from a disease called cerebrocortical necrosis (CCN), which is a deficiency in vitamin B1. This is a common disease that affects mostly growing calves and sheep.
Vitamin B1 is made by bacteria in the rumen. Thus, it is essential to maintain good rumen health.
Feeding excessive concentrates can change the natural balance of bacteria in the rumen, so fibre is vital to keep these bacteria at peak vitamin B1 production.
Animals exposed to very lush grass or excessive concentrates are at risk of developing the disease. Plants such as bracken can produce a substance that is toxic to vitamin B1, so it should be avoided. Excess sulphur in the diet can also interfere with vitamin B1 absorption.
Signs to look out for:
Animals away from the main group.Animals appearing blind; bumping into objects, staying near walls.Animals with high head carriage.Animals very sensitive to touch and noise. Animals grinding teeth.Animals recumbent/ seizures in later stages. Prevention
Make sure that some form of roughage is available at all times. Avoid excessive concentrates.Avoid ingestion of plants such as bracken and excess sulphur in diet. Animals should be seen by a vet as soon as possible to start the administration of vitamin B1 injections and other supportive therapies if required. The sooner the animal is treated, the better the outcome. Luckily in this case, the heifer has made a full recovery.
Hazell Mullins works at Glasslyn Veterinary Clinics, Glasslyn Road, Bandon, Co Cork. Glasslyn Veterinary Clinics is part of XLVets. XLVets is a group of progressive practices who are working together to achieve a better future for agriculture and veterinary in Ireland. For information, see www.xlvets.ie.
As the summer progresses, the spring is nothing but a distant memory, but the odd problem still arises which keeps us vets on our toes.
I was recently called to a farm to a six-month-old Jersey-cross heifer which apparently was acting “strangely”.
I was greeted by the concerned farmer who showed me the heifer in question, which was certainly not in her right mind.
She was staggering around the pen, very disorientated and bumping into gates on a constant basis.
On examination, the animal had no clinical abnormalities apart from the obvious blindness in both eyes and was also very sensitive to touch.
The farmer had a suspicion that the animal may have had meningitis, but in fact the animal was suffering from a disease called cerebrocortical necrosis (CCN), which is a deficiency in vitamin B1. This is a common disease that affects mostly growing calves and sheep.
Vitamin B1 is made by bacteria in the rumen. Thus, it is essential to maintain good rumen health.
Feeding excessive concentrates can change the natural balance of bacteria in the rumen, so fibre is vital to keep these bacteria at peak vitamin B1 production.
Animals exposed to very lush grass or excessive concentrates are at risk of developing the disease. Plants such as bracken can produce a substance that is toxic to vitamin B1, so it should be avoided. Excess sulphur in the diet can also interfere with vitamin B1 absorption.
Signs to look out for:
Animals away from the main group.Animals appearing blind; bumping into objects, staying near walls.Animals with high head carriage.Animals very sensitive to touch and noise. Animals grinding teeth.Animals recumbent/ seizures in later stages. Prevention
Make sure that some form of roughage is available at all times. Avoid excessive concentrates.Avoid ingestion of plants such as bracken and excess sulphur in diet. Animals should be seen by a vet as soon as possible to start the administration of vitamin B1 injections and other supportive therapies if required. The sooner the animal is treated, the better the outcome. Luckily in this case, the heifer has made a full recovery.
Hazell Mullins works at Glasslyn Veterinary Clinics, Glasslyn Road, Bandon, Co Cork. Glasslyn Veterinary Clinics is part of XLVets. XLVets is a group of progressive practices who are working together to achieve a better future for agriculture and veterinary in Ireland. For information, see www.xlvets.ie.
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