HYPOPHOSPHOROSIS IN BOVINES IN THE CONTAGEM MUNICIPALITY - MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL

Abstract

Cases of hypophosphorose in dairy cattle were studied in Contagem County in the State of Minas Gerais - Brazil. The serum and calcium levels of six (6) sick animals, before and twenty-one (21) days after the treatment began, were determined. The treatment consisted of Phos-20 and bonemeal which were permanently available in the feeder. The levels of calcium and phosphorous in the soil and in the “jaraguá” grass (Hyparrhenia rufa) of the pasture of the two ranches were also determined. In the first group, the parenteral treatment consisted of Phos-20, given in a daily dose of l0 ml per 100 kg of animal weight for 10 days and bonemeal permanently available, in the feeder with salt (NaCL) alongside. In the second group, 1 mg of cobalt sulphate, diluted in 20 ml of water, was administered by mouth to each animal daily for 10 days and salt was always available to each. Afterwards, because of the negative result of the cobalt treatment in this group, the treatment which had been administered the first group, was given to the second. Following this, the clinical picture of the cattle in the second group showed definite improvement. The third group was given no treatment for an equal period of time. After the bonemeal salt, and Fhos-20 treatment, the cattle recovered partially, but were left sterile, a side-effect of the treatment. In the cattle of the first group the symptoms disappeared after the first week of treatment with Phos-20 and bonemeal. In all of the animals treated with phosphorous sources the phosphostemia returned to normal levels, when the bonemeal and salt were furnished constantly in the feed.  There was a close correlation between the phosphorous levels in the serum of the animals and the phosphorous levels in the soil and the “jaraguá’ grass (Hyparrhenia rufa). The clinical diagnosis of hipophosphorous was based on the analysis of the following clinical data: symptoms, disease history, the level of phosphorous in the cattle serum the histopathological exam of bone tissue, and the phosphorus levels in the grazing grass and soil of the two ranches where the experiment was carried out.