Mineral deficiency
Mineral deficiency
Symptoms
General
· Animal appears starved even
when fed abundantly.
· Animal loses
weight.
· Animal scratches the
ground.
· Loss of appetite.
Specific deficiencies
· Breeding
difficulties—repeated breeding is necessary (phosphorus and selenium
deficiency).
· Convulsion and staggering
(calcium and magnesium deficiency).
·
Black-coated animals appear to have brown hair (copper deficiency).
· Enlarged joint (calcium deficiency, in calves).
Causes
· Insufficient minerals
available to animals.
· Worm infestation.
Prevention
· Provide salt or mineral block
for lick.
· Feed animals fresh grass and
leaves.
· Supplement the animal's diet
with high nutritive value plants such as sweet potato leaves and amaranth and
feeds rich in minerals (see Feeding, page 108).
Treatment
Give any of the following treatments.
The dosages stated here are for adult cattle. For calves, goats
and sheep, give half dosages. For further remedies, see Lack of appetite.
· Mix 5 liters of urine with 2-5
g yeast. Let stand for 24 hours. Dilute with 5 liters of water and give as drink
to the animals. Do this daily until the animal regains appetite. (Cambodia. 1,
2, 3, 4)
· Mix 1 liter of palm toddy with
½ liter cattle urine. Drench the animal twice a day until it regains its
appetite. (India. 1, 2, 4)
· Mix 1 part limestone powder to
1 part water. Sprinkle the mixture on the fodder ration. Do this daily for 3
days. (Philippines. 1, 2, 3,
4)
