By Bain, M. S. and Davies, I. H. and Livesey, C. T. and Munro, R., Cattle Practice, 1996
Description
A high incidence of lameness was seen in a group of young beef bulls and PM examination of one of these identified the cause of lameness as osteochondritis dissecans. Laboratory examinations showed sub-normal serum and bone calcium concentrations and dietary analysis also confirmed inadequate calcium intake. The condition of the animals improved considerably when mineral/vitamin inclusion in the diet was increased, suggesting that calcium deficiency and possibly vitamin D deficiency were in part responsible for the problem in this case
A high incidence of lameness was seen in a group of young beef bulls and PM examination of one of these identified the cause of lameness as osteochondritis dissecans. Laboratory examinations showed sub-normal serum and bone calcium concentrations and dietary analysis also confirmed inadequate calcium intake. The condition of the animals improved considerably when mineral/vitamin inclusion in the diet was increased, suggesting that calcium deficiency and possibly vitamin D deficiency were in part responsible for the problem in this case
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