Latest News• Add My News • Search Old News Gippsland › Latest news › Department of Primary IndustriesSeen Any Blind Calves?Outbreaks of a condition known as polioencephalomalacia (polio or PEM) occur in weaned calves in both dairy and beef herds in southern Australia. Typically PEM occurs between November and the end of February. In an outbreak one or more calves in the group appear to be blind, get depressed and staggery, convulsions can occur and some may die. Others in the group may be less seriously affected. Treatment with vitamin B1, if given quickly enough and at high enough doses, may be effective, but often severely affected calves will die. If their brains are examined, they will show characteristic damage and swelling. PEM is caused by a lack of vitamin B1 or thiamine. This vitamin is normally produced by bacteria in the rumen of the calf. There are a number of conditions that can reduce the production of thiamine in the rumen, or may change the structure of the thiamine resulting in a reduced effect in the calf. For example some fungi and some plants, including bracken fern, are known to contain chemicals that will destroy vitamin B1 in the rumen. Too much sulphur in the diet or a relative lack of copper may produce PEM. High grain/low roughage diets and mild grain overload in calves are also thought to contribute to PEM. A small research project was undertaken in 2002 /2003 in No significant differences were found that could help explain the difference between the affected and non-affected herds. However this work has shown that it is possible that destruction of vitamin B1 and/or high sulphur diets may be contributing to PEM in There are other conditions that look the same as PEM including lead poisoning and viral or bacterial brain infections. Contact your vet to examine any calves that appear to be blind. Calves have a much greater chance of recovery if treated early and steps can be taken to reduce the risk of disease in herd mates.
CHECK COW CONDITIONIt is time for farmers with early calving herds to check body condition score. The ideal score at calving is between 4.5 and 5.5 (on the 1 to 8 scale). By checking condition score in the last 8 to 10 weeks of the lactation, you will have plenty of time to improve the score before drying off if necessary. Score 70 cows in the herd. Choose these animals at random. Do not score the first 70 cows through the dairy, as they will be the fat ones or the last 70 as they will be the thin ones! If more than 15% of the cows have a body condition score of less than 4.5, you should work on increasing condition before drying off. Be aware that a score of over 5.5 at calving can also create problems, so take care not to over condition the herd. However, cows in condition score over 5.5 should NOT be put on a weight reduction diet during the dry period. Aim to maintain the condition of these animals.Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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