Rickets in calves: symptoms and treatment, diagnosis and prevention

Young cattle require care and attention from the moment they are born. Improper care or feeding causes metabolic disorders and often leads to rickets in calves. Problems can arise at different stages of offspring development. Studying the causes of the disease, identifying the disease at an early stage and timely prevention will save farmers from serious consequences.

Causes of rickets in calves

The disease of calves leads to a lack of vitamin D, which is involved in the exchange of phosphorus and calcium. A deficiency of useful trace elements interferes with the proper formation of bone tissue.As a result, signs of developmental delay are observed in the offspring of cattle. The main causes of rickets:

1. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
2. Acid-base imbalance.
3. Unbalanced diet leading to beriberi.
4. Lack of sunlight.

Rickets often occurs in calves while still in the womb. This leads to a poor feeding ration, which causes metabolic failures in a pregnant cow. Most often, the disease manifests itself in calves during the first year of life. Cases of mass diseases are noted in winter, if the livestock is rarely released for a walk.

And even after successful treatment, young animals need constant monitoring. Side effects do not appear immediately.

Symptoms and signs

Rickets is characterized by slow development. Over time, symptoms develop:

Early stage Calf perverted appetiteDisruption of the digestive tract - bloating and diarrheaCramps One month after illness Shine on chest ribsJoints increase in sizeSkull shape changesCurvature of the trunkHeight of illness TachycardiaDifficulty breathing Decrease in hemoglobin levelsGeneral weakness

Loss of shine and elasticity of coat
Lameness and weakness of the limbs

Sick calves begin to stagger and their teeth fall out. As a result, the animals begin to lose the gained weight. When moving, a characteristic crunch of bones is heard. Fractures often occur.

Diagnosis

To clarify the diagnosis, a veterinarian is invited. It is difficult to determine the nature of the disease on your own. Symptoms similar to rickets have ailments:

1. Rheumatism.
2. Pathologies of the joints.
3. White muscle disease.
4. Copper deficiency ailments.

The doctor examines the diet of calves, examines the animal, palpates painful areas of the body. To finally confirm the presence of rickets, a biochemical blood test is done. Specialists also prescribe X-rays or ultrasounds.

Treatment methods

Sick young animals are immediately separated from he althy livestock and placed in a dry and warm room. Calf housing conditions under review:

1. A bed of straw is placed on the pen floor.
2. As they become dirty, the layers are removed and replaced with fresh ones.
3. Check the ventilation system.
4. UV lamps are turned on indoors in winter to make up for the lack of sunlight.
5. Provides regular physical activity. In summer, calves are released to pasture, in winter they walk in the barn.

Animal feeding is also subject to reassessment. Young animals are given food rich in protein, vitamins and other useful substances.

The diet includes:

1. Fresh grass and vegetables. Carrots are especially useful.
2. Alfalfa, dandelions or clover are added to the hay.
3. Yeast supplements.

During illness, calves are fed with whole milk for about 2 weeks.

The source of macro- and microelements necessary for the body is bone or shell meal, fodder chalk. Vitamin-mineral complexes replenish phosphorus and calcium.

Intramuscular injections of "Tetravit" and the drug "Ergocalciferol" help well in the treatment of rickets. Inside daily give up to 10 drops of "Trivitamin". The duration of the course is determined by the veterinarian. Sick calves are prescribed fish oil enriched with vitamins. The dose is calculated based on the weight of the animal - 0.5 grams of the drug per kilogram of weight.

Can the problem be avoided?

For the prevention of rickets, a set of events is organized on the farm. To prevent the occurrence of the disease, you must:

1. Perform regular veterinary checks on animals.
2. Pregnant cows should be injected with vitamin-containing preparations a month before birth.
3. Take blood from newborn calves for testing.
4. No keeping animals in cold, damp areas.
5. Keep hygiene.
6. Ensure regular walking.
7. Install UV lamps in pen.

The diet of animals should be balanced not only during illness. They pay constant attention to feeding, monitor the freshness of products, use he althy supplements and recommended dosages.

Compliance with the advice on keeping and feeding calves will save animals from many diseases. Rickets and other pathologies negatively affect the productivity of the herd. And this causes serious damage to the entire farm.

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