Contents
Rickets in young animals is a dangerous chronic disease characterized by a violation of phosphorus-calcium metabolism and vitamin D deficiency, accompanied by bone tissue degeneration, muscle weakness, impaired functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems of the body of young cattle. This dangerous disease can manifest itself at any time in the life of a young animal. However, most often rickets in calves is diagnosed in the first months of life, as well as in grown-up young fattening cattle.
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 and other vitamins, vital micro and macro elements, as well as with insufficient ultraviolet radiation and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
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 tract diseases;
- acid-base imbalance in the body;
- lack of exercise;
- no exposure to ultraviolet rays in the summer (stall free-range content), in winter and spring – no UV exposure through mercury-quartz lamps;
- keeping in dark, damp and cold rooms.
The cause of rickets in calves in the neonatal period is a violation of vitamin and mineral metabolism in the body of a cow, as well as monotonous and poor feeding of a pregnant animal. Often this disease occurs in calves born from cows with hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia.
This disease can manifest itself in 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 early days.
Calves born from cows with metabolic disorders are very weak. A clear symptom of the presence of rickets in newborn calves is a poorly developed skeleton. Pain is noted on palpation of the hind limbs, pelvic bones, and lower back.
Other typical symptoms of rickets are:
- joint enlargement;
- limb weakness;
- incorrect setting of the forelimbs and their deformation;
- the appearance of the so-called “rachitic rosary” – seals of the thoracic (distal) ends of the ribs;
- change in the shape (deformation) of the bones of the skull.
In the first weeks and months of life, calves affected by rickets refuse to feed and have a perversion of appetite. Calves start:
- eat dirty bedding, earth, dry feces;
- lick wool;
- gnaw at the walls;
- drink manure.
Against the background of a perverted appetite, calves with rickets develop gastroenteritis and diarrhea. The coat of calves with rickets becomes dull and disheveled, and the skin loses its elasticity. In calves affected by rickets, as a rule, the change of teeth is delayed. They are also noted to stagger and fall out. In young cattle, often repeated attacks of choking and muscle cramps (tetany) are sometimes observed.
In calves 3-6 months old, there is a developmental delay and no weight gain. The animal moves little and stays more in a lying position. Affected calves stand up slowly and often step over their limbs. The front legs of an animal with rickets in a standing position are widely spaced.
In severe cases of rickets in calves are observed:
- respiratory failure;
- myocardial dystrophy;
- tachycardia;
- anemia.
Rare movements of a calf with rickets are accompanied by a characteristic crunch in the joints and lameness. The movements of a sick animal are very slow, tense, and the steps are shortened. Pain is noted on palpation of the joints. In seriously ill animals, bone fractures often occur.
Young cattle at the age of one year also suffer from this disease. In well-developed and well-fed animals, body weight gain decreases as a result of poor eating (lack of appetite) and low feed digestibility.
Heifers with rickets lie for a long time, show no interest in feeding, move in short steps. When examining a heifer, there is an increase in joints, curvature of the spine, limbs are summed up under the body.
Diagnosis of the disease
When making a diagnosis, the veterinarian evaluates the animal’s diet, analyzes the clinical signs of the disease. When making a diagnosis, the indicators of laboratory (biochemical analysis) of blood are also taken into account with the definition of:
- the concentration of calcium and phosphorus in the blood of a sick animal;
- reserve alkalinity of blood;
- alkaline phosphatase activity.
If necessary, the veterinarian should conduct an x-ray or histological examination of the tissue of the epimetaphyseal zone of the bones. Rickets in young animals has similar symptoms with:
- articular rheumatism;
- white muscle disease;
- Urovskaya disease;
- hypocuprosis (or acuprosis).
Therefore, in the differential diagnosis of rickets in young cattle, a veterinarian must exclude these diseases.
Treatment of rickets in calves
If 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 review the diet of young animals. It should consist of easily digestible feeds rich in protein, vitamins A, D, calcium, phosphorus, macro- and microelements.
Sick animals are introduced into the diet and feeding is increased:
- juicy grass;
- vitamin hay from clover and alfalfa;
- red carrots;
- whole milk and skim milk;
- yeast feed.
As mineral dressings use:
- shell and bone meal;
- fodder chalk;
- tricalcium phosphate, calcium glycerophosphate.
In the treatment of rickets in young cattle, oil, alcohol solutions and vitamin D emulsions 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);
- a single dose of 500-800 thousand IU.
In the treatment of rickets, complex preparations are also used:
- orally prescribed “Trivitamin” (solution of vitamins D3, A and E) 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 a dose of 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 let out for a walk in spacious walking yards.
Forecast
With timely detection of the disease (especially in the early stages), as well as with proper treatment, the animal with rickets quickly recovers. With late detection of symptoms of the disease, incorrect diagnosis and the appearance of complications, the prognosis is unfavorable or doubtful.
The course of the disease in young cattle is chronic. Rickets in calves is dangerous with the following complications:
- bronchopneumonia;
- anemia;
- severe exhaustion;
- myocardial dystrophy;
- chronic gastroenteritis;
- catarrh of the stomach and intestines;
- decrease in the body’s resistance of a young animal to infectious diseases.
Preventive measures
Prevention of rickets in young cattle provides for a whole range of veterinary and zootechnical measures. First of all, calves need to provide a complete diet. The deficiency of vitamins, micro- and macroelements is compensated by the introduction of 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 calf feeding with colostrum. Pregnant cows 4-6 weeks before the approximate date of calving are intramuscularly injected with a vitamin D preparation – 250-1000 thousand IU. In case of mineral or D-vitamin deficiency in cows, at the first colostrum giving, a newborn calf should be fed 50 thousand IU of vitamin D.
The room where the young are kept should be spacious, bright and warm. Crowded keeping of animals in damp, dark rooms is unacceptable. In summer and sunny weather, young animals need to provide 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 a violation of the norms of feeding, keeping calves and pregnant cows. With timely treatment, sick calves quickly recover, in severe cases they die from serious complications.