Grass Tetany (Grass Staggers/ Hypomagnesaemia)
Hypomagnesaemia
occurs when the intake of magnesium is exceeded by its output. The
clinical signs can occur very quickly because the cow does not store
magnesium, and is thus reliant on its daily dietary intake.
Hypomagnesaemia is most commonly a disease of lactating cows at grass,
because grass can be very low in magnesium and the output in milk is
high.
Like most nutritional diseases, the animals showing clinical signs are just the tip of the iceberg, for every cow with obvious disease many more will be affected sub clinically.
The increase in disease in spring occurs because rapidly growing grasses, particularly rye grasses, are very low in magnesium. This low concentration of magnesium can be further reduced by the application of fertilizer, partly because of the increase in growth rate, but also because application of potassium directly inhibits uptake of magnesium by the grass. Slower growing forages, particularly clovers and other broad-leaved plants contain much higher levels of magnesium.
Animals should not be moved during treatment, but once they have responded to treatment it is best to move them off the pasture. In some cases, repeat treatment may be needed.
Pasture can be dusted with magnesium oxide. Powder should be applied early in the morning and the pasture should be strip-grazed throughout the week.
Cattle can also be drenched with magnesium oxide. If magnesium is fed over a long period it is important to add phosphorus (dicalcium phosphate powder or bone flour) as a precautionary measure because magnesium can reduce phosphorus absorption.
Like most nutritional diseases, the animals showing clinical signs are just the tip of the iceberg, for every cow with obvious disease many more will be affected sub clinically.
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| Grass tetany in dairy cows |
The increase in disease in spring occurs because rapidly growing grasses, particularly rye grasses, are very low in magnesium. This low concentration of magnesium can be further reduced by the application of fertilizer, partly because of the increase in growth rate, but also because application of potassium directly inhibits uptake of magnesium by the grass. Slower growing forages, particularly clovers and other broad-leaved plants contain much higher levels of magnesium.
Symptoms
- Restlessness
- Staggers
- Over-alert appearance
- Excitable or aggressive
- Animals may fall down and go into convulsions
- In many cases animals may die without any prior sign of disease
Treatment
Treatment must be prompt to be effective. It is best to inject a combined calcium and magnesium solution under the skin in the area behind the shoulder and over the ribs. Massage the area well after injecting the solution to spread the fluid and aid its rapid absorption into the blood stream.Animals should not be moved during treatment, but once they have responded to treatment it is best to move them off the pasture. In some cases, repeat treatment may be needed.
Prevention
Daily supplementation of magnesium should be given to animals at risk. This can be through a mixture of oral supplements including salt licks, molasses concentrates or hay. Fertilizers containing magnesium are effective in increasing herbage magnesium only on certain soil types.Pasture can be dusted with magnesium oxide. Powder should be applied early in the morning and the pasture should be strip-grazed throughout the week.
Cattle can also be drenched with magnesium oxide. If magnesium is fed over a long period it is important to add phosphorus (dicalcium phosphate powder or bone flour) as a precautionary measure because magnesium can reduce phosphorus absorption.