calf with vitamin E deficiency

[Manny]

Go a two month old suckler calf out at grass that has gone very stiff today and not looking happy. I rang vet and was told it is either vit e deficiency or tetanus. We have never had any thing like this before and wondered if it could be connected to the dry weather or yesterday's sudden change with an inch of rain falling. Anyone any ideas?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Well unfortunately you'll know in the next few days if it's tetanus

 

[Chasingmytail]

worth a look

http://www.nadis.org.uk/bulletins/trace-element-deficiency-in-cattle.aspx

http://www.thecattlesite.com/diseaseinfo/236/selenium-deficiency-in-adult-dairy-cattle/

http://www.thecattlesite.com/diseaseinfo/258/white-muscle-disease/

 

[choochter]

Go a two month old suckler calf out at grass that has gone very stiff today and not looking happy. I rang vet and was told it is either vit e deficiency or tetanus. We have never had any thing like this before and wondered if it could be connected to the dry weather or yesterday's sudden change with an inch of rain falling. Anyone any ideas?

how's the calf?

 

[Manny]

Father look at them is morning and said he couldn't see anything wrong with any of the calves so hopefully its OK. But saying that he didn't notice it yesterday. I've been off the farm this morning and i'm just about to go and look for my self.

 

[Chasingmytail]

get some lick blocks etc out on pasture. Even though they say its not efficient we always have plenty of salt/selenium blocks out. We also put seaweed and salt in big tubs. Works for us.

 

[bovine]

Has vet been out and actually looked? Taken bloods?

 

[Manny]

Calf is looking a bit better today. Moving easier but still not 100%. Cows and calves have unlimited access to two different types of mineral licks so that should help. Vit e is linked to selenium or lack of in soil or in the grass. This is why i wondered if the lack of moisture and wormth until this time last week could of contributed to this. The grass has hardly grown in a month and not taken up fert from two weeks ago yet.

 

[choochter]

Last July I'd a calf die suddenly of, as it turned out, congestive heart failure. The only other thing the pm showed up was a low selenium level although that was not what killed her. The soils around here are naturally low in selenium.

Might be worth getting some calves blood checked anyway to see if there is an issue that needs adressed.

 

[Chasingmytail]

Calf is looking a bit better today. Moving easier but still not 100%. Cows and calves have unlimited access to two different types of mineral licks so that should help. Vit e is linked to selenium or lack of in soil or in the grass. This is why i wondered if the lack of moisture and wormth until this time last week could of contributed to this. The grass has hardly grown in a month and not taken up fert from two weeks ago yet.

It states in the Nadis Link: The delayed form of selenium/vitamin E deficiency is usually seen in calves between one and four months-old. Signs are usually precipitated by sudden unaccustomed exercise typically following turnout to pasture in the spring. The clinical appearance varies according to the muscles affected.

I would not def be calling the vet to take samples.