Investigation of Clinical Hypocalcaemia in Cattle and Goats at the Selected Veterinary Hospitals in Bangladesh and India

Abstract

Hypocalcaemia is a metabolic disease of cattle, goat, sheep, buffalo and birdet hypocalcaemia occurs when the level of Calcium in blood goes to down 10 mg/ dl or less. The study was conducted to estimate the proportionate prevalence of hypocalcaemia in cattle and goat and its animal level distribution at Upazila Veterinary Hospital, Chakaria; Shahedul Alam Quaderi Teaching Veterinary Hospital, Chittagong and Madras Veterinary College, India. The study also aimed to describe clinical signs of hypocalcaemia and treatment given for it. Data obtained were analyzed by STATA-11. Hypocalcemic cases were significantly higher in cattle than in goat within study site comparison (UVH: 14% versus 8.3%, p≤0.05, SAQTVH: 20% vs 17.4% p≤ 0.05 and MVC: 20% vs 10%, p≤0.05). Both cross breed cattle and Jamnaparihad more hypocalcemic cases (13 and 11, respectively) than that of local indigenous cattle and goat (5 and 4, respectively). Female cattle and goat had higher cases (11 and13, respectively) than male (7 and 2, respectively). The predominant clinical sign was unable to move for cattle and recumbency for goat. Eleven of 18 hypocalcemic cattle were recovered, whereas 12 of 15 hypocalcemic goats were recovered after the treatment.Keywords: Hypocalcaemia; Proportionate prevalence; Cattle; Goat pupillary light reflection and relaxed of anal sphincter [1]. The potential causes of hypocalcaemia are low dietary Ca and vitamin D supplement, improper ratio of Ca and Phosphorus (P) (2:1) and also imbalance of parathyroid hormone and calcitonin [2,3]. Alkalosis due to excessive cations of Potassium, Sodium, Ca and Magnesium predisposes the animal to milk fever and subclinical hypocalcaemia [4]. Hypomagnesaemia in periparturient cow also increases the susceptibility of hypocalcaemia and milk fever [5].The prevalence of hypocalcaemia was reported to be 15% in cattle, 9% in goat, 7% in sheep and 12% in buffalo in Bangladesh [6] whereas 10% in cattle, 9% in goat, 8% in sheep and 14% in buffalo in India [7]. The identified potential risk factors associated with hypocalcaemia includes species, age, sex, breed and stage of production period. Cattle were reported to be more susceptible than any other livestock species [2]. Cross breed, female, older animals and lactating animals were commonly affected by hypocalcaemia [3].Hypocalcaemia greatly reduces the milk production, rumenand abomasal motility and increases the risk of abomasal displacement [8]. It also reduces feed intake so that greater body fat mobilization occurs in early lactation [7]. Hypocalcaemia also directly impairs with immune cell responding to an activating stimulus [9].The available treatment options were as follows [10,11] Treatment of hypocalcemia should be given as early as possible, especially if recumbency occurs. The fastest way to restore normal plasma Ca concentration is to administer an intravenous injection of Ca salts.a) The most effective IV Ca dose is about 2g Ca/100 kg body weight (BW) but it is safe to administer the Ca at a rate of 1 g/min. If administ...

Peri-parturient hypocalcemia in goats: Clinical, hematobiochemical profiles and ultrasonographic measurements of postpartum uterine involution

“…Hypocalcemia occurs due to low dietary calcium and vitamin D supplementation and an improper Ca and P ratio (2:1) [6]. The risk factors associated with hypocalcemia include species, breed, age, sex, and stage of production [6,7], and it affects cattle primarily and to a lesser extent small ruminants [8], aged does (4-6 years), those pregnant with multiple feti, and dairy goats capable of heavy lactation [9].…”