Faster horses
Well-known member
COPPER DEFICIENCY
Reports of copper deficiency appear to be increasing dramatically in the U.S and Canada. Because of the high probability of copper problems, we are focusing this paper on copper but zinc, selenium and other trace elements deserve equal attention.
Symptoms of extreme copper deficiency are easy to recognize but marginal copper deficiency is less easily recognized. Adults may be unaffected unless the deficiency is severe and long. Young animals are more severely affected. Symptoms of copper deficiency include:
CHANGES IN HAIR COAT COLOR
Loss of hair coat is very sensitive to lack of copper, especially if caused by high sulfur or molybdenum interactions.
Depigmentation usually shows up first around the eyes and ears, especially the peripheral hairs of the ears, but can affect all hair.
Graying hair is typical but.....
In Herefords red turns to orange or yellowish - dun color
In Angus black turns to reddish - brown, mouse color
Coat appears dry and often lacks luster.
Cattle are slow to shed winter coats.
However, copper problems have been observed when hair and body condition appeared normal.
Hair becomes kinky.
FERTILITY PROBLEMS
Delayed or suppressed estrus.
Embryo death between 30 and 50 days of age ( gives appearance of irregular cycles).
Nitrogen fertilization of pastures, particularly above 75 lb/acre, is documented in the U.S. and Europe to result in infertility due to copper responsive causes.
Reduced birth weights.
SCOURING OR DIARRHEA IS COMMON
Not always present.
Not prolonged of profuse.
With presence of molybdenum
Scouring becomes profuse
Has high gas content
Has foul characteristic order
LONG BONE FRACTURES
For no apparent reason typically in young rapidly growing animals can be up to 5 - 10 % of the herd
ENLARGEMENT OF THE MEDIAL AND LATERAL ASPECTS...
Of the distal metacarpal and metarsal physeal regions in calves. May show lameness, stiff stilted gate, upright pasterns, reluctant to move.
CHARACTERISTIC SORENESS OF FEET
Lame gait
Swelling of coronary band
Seems painful an animals will remove weight from one foot to the other giving all four feed needed relief over time.
Corrects rapidly with supplemental copper
CATTLE STAY IN MODERATE TO POOR CONDITION
Even though pasture conditions suggest something better,
Cattle don't ever appear extremely full.
SIMPLE SUDDEN DEATH "FALLING DIESEASE"
Due to rupture of the major arteries die to lack of elastin.
First reported in Australia but now occurring in the U.S. in cattle and sheep.
PERFORATING ABOMASAL ULCERS
If calves have been frequently observed in copper deficient areas but cause and effect has not been proven.
Abdominal discomfort
Colic
Abdominal distension
Death
INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY OT DISEASE
Impaired defense mechanisms
Reduced antibody production
Reduced phagocyte function
Reduced B and T lymphocyte function
Reduced killing capacity of circulation leukocytes and pulmonary macrophages
CASE OF ILL THRIFT IN CALVES
Calves often, but not always, look wormy.
POSSIBLE SIGNS OF COPPER DEFICIENCY
Thick hides from collagen deposition
Tongue lolling
Excessive licking of hair coats
Increased incidence of ketosis
COPPER DEFICIENCY HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH....
Chlamydial infections
BVD
Salmonellosis
Parasitic and mycoplasmal infections
Increased respirator and enteric disease in calves was history leading to discovery of copper deficiency in certain herds in the northwest U.S.
Only manifestation with moderate deficiency in some areas has been decreased weaning weights 50 -100 pounds. Unequal response in calves, some normal; some reduced weaning weight resulting in a greater range in weaning weights than typical.
Cases of ill thrift in calves and yearlings on pasture that are unresponsive to anthelmintica should cause immediate suspicion of copper deficiency - copper deficient cattle often, but not always look wormy.
As suggested above, the symptoms of copper deficiency are often subtle and hard to detect.
Many of us, need to be keener in observing our cattle and asking questions about why - Why aren't the cattle full when pasture is plentiful? Why don't some of the cows ever pass body condition of 4 or 5 when many more are 6? Why don't they seed their winter coats completely and quickly? Why is hair color changing from season to season, if we look close enough to detect it?
Primary copper levels are marginal or low normal, but other elements in the diet can interfere with copper availability.
Be sure to look at water for possible sources of excess sulfate.
HOW DO WE DIAGNOSE COPPER DEFICIENCY?
There is no quick fix for solving problems with copper or other mineral deficiencies. A step-by-step analysis of the situation needs to be made.
1. Close observation on a herd basis for any of the problems listed earlier. A few animals may show one symptom and others another but look at all systems collectively for the whole herd when evaluating a herd deficiency.
2. Forage test - must have copper plus molybdenum and sulfur
3. Liver biopsies on live cattle.
4. Consulting with someone with experience in dealing with the problem.
Reports of copper deficiency appear to be increasing dramatically in the U.S and Canada. Because of the high probability of copper problems, we are focusing this paper on copper but zinc, selenium and other trace elements deserve equal attention.
Symptoms of extreme copper deficiency are easy to recognize but marginal copper deficiency is less easily recognized. Adults may be unaffected unless the deficiency is severe and long. Young animals are more severely affected. Symptoms of copper deficiency include:
CHANGES IN HAIR COAT COLOR
Loss of hair coat is very sensitive to lack of copper, especially if caused by high sulfur or molybdenum interactions.
Depigmentation usually shows up first around the eyes and ears, especially the peripheral hairs of the ears, but can affect all hair.
Graying hair is typical but.....
In Herefords red turns to orange or yellowish - dun color
In Angus black turns to reddish - brown, mouse color
Coat appears dry and often lacks luster.
Cattle are slow to shed winter coats.
However, copper problems have been observed when hair and body condition appeared normal.
Hair becomes kinky.
FERTILITY PROBLEMS
Delayed or suppressed estrus.
Embryo death between 30 and 50 days of age ( gives appearance of irregular cycles).
Nitrogen fertilization of pastures, particularly above 75 lb/acre, is documented in the U.S. and Europe to result in infertility due to copper responsive causes.
Reduced birth weights.
SCOURING OR DIARRHEA IS COMMON
Not always present.
Not prolonged of profuse.
With presence of molybdenum
Scouring becomes profuse
Has high gas content
Has foul characteristic order
LONG BONE FRACTURES
For no apparent reason typically in young rapidly growing animals can be up to 5 - 10 % of the herd
ENLARGEMENT OF THE MEDIAL AND LATERAL ASPECTS...
Of the distal metacarpal and metarsal physeal regions in calves. May show lameness, stiff stilted gate, upright pasterns, reluctant to move.
CHARACTERISTIC SORENESS OF FEET
Lame gait
Swelling of coronary band
Seems painful an animals will remove weight from one foot to the other giving all four feed needed relief over time.
Corrects rapidly with supplemental copper
CATTLE STAY IN MODERATE TO POOR CONDITION
Even though pasture conditions suggest something better,
Cattle don't ever appear extremely full.
SIMPLE SUDDEN DEATH "FALLING DIESEASE"
Due to rupture of the major arteries die to lack of elastin.
First reported in Australia but now occurring in the U.S. in cattle and sheep.
PERFORATING ABOMASAL ULCERS
If calves have been frequently observed in copper deficient areas but cause and effect has not been proven.
Abdominal discomfort
Colic
Abdominal distension
Death
INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY OT DISEASE
Impaired defense mechanisms
Reduced antibody production
Reduced phagocyte function
Reduced B and T lymphocyte function
Reduced killing capacity of circulation leukocytes and pulmonary macrophages
CASE OF ILL THRIFT IN CALVES
Calves often, but not always, look wormy.
POSSIBLE SIGNS OF COPPER DEFICIENCY
Thick hides from collagen deposition
Tongue lolling
Excessive licking of hair coats
Increased incidence of ketosis
COPPER DEFICIENCY HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH....
Chlamydial infections
BVD
Salmonellosis
Parasitic and mycoplasmal infections
Increased respirator and enteric disease in calves was history leading to discovery of copper deficiency in certain herds in the northwest U.S.
Only manifestation with moderate deficiency in some areas has been decreased weaning weights 50 -100 pounds. Unequal response in calves, some normal; some reduced weaning weight resulting in a greater range in weaning weights than typical.
Cases of ill thrift in calves and yearlings on pasture that are unresponsive to anthelmintica should cause immediate suspicion of copper deficiency - copper deficient cattle often, but not always look wormy.
As suggested above, the symptoms of copper deficiency are often subtle and hard to detect.
Many of us, need to be keener in observing our cattle and asking questions about why - Why aren't the cattle full when pasture is plentiful? Why don't some of the cows ever pass body condition of 4 or 5 when many more are 6? Why don't they seed their winter coats completely and quickly? Why is hair color changing from season to season, if we look close enough to detect it?
Primary copper levels are marginal or low normal, but other elements in the diet can interfere with copper availability.
Be sure to look at water for possible sources of excess sulfate.
HOW DO WE DIAGNOSE COPPER DEFICIENCY?
There is no quick fix for solving problems with copper or other mineral deficiencies. A step-by-step analysis of the situation needs to be made.
1. Close observation on a herd basis for any of the problems listed earlier. A few animals may show one symptom and others another but look at all systems collectively for the whole herd when evaluating a herd deficiency.
2. Forage test - must have copper plus molybdenum and sulfur
3. Liver biopsies on live cattle.
4. Consulting with someone with experience in dealing with the problem.
, but I'll keep looking....I must have missed posting the source. I do try to do that but it doesn't always happen. I'm glad some of you here are getting some good information from it. We went through a copper wreck
Most likely genetics as you mentioned.