Herd Anaemia in Cattle

CAUSES: Differential diagnosis of herd anaemia is difficult. Causes include:
Main causes

Low quality/intake of winter feed



Undernutrition

Parasitism

Infections

Toxins/aplastic anaemia


Haemorrhage


Haemolysis



Immunomedicated anaemia

Mineral deficiency or toxicity
Comment

Haemoglobin levels usually rise from Apr to Nov and fall from Nov to Apr; "winter anaemia" usually recovers within 1 month after turnout to good pasture

Deficiency of protein/energy

Especially lice, fluke, worms, skin/liver/gut etc

Protozoal, bacterial, viral, fungal

Plant poisoning (kale, bracken etc); chemical poisons); liver disease

Anticoagulants (warfarin, spoiled clover), infections. PPH (pruritus, pyrexia and haemorrhage) syndrome on silage

Poor collection/handling of samples; bacterial, protozoal, viral infections; toxins; toxicities (Cu, etc); postparturient haemoglobinuria (possibly associated with P deficiency)

 This can arise, but is rare

Deficiency of Co, Cu, maybe Se has caused anaemia in cattle and sheep elsewhere but rarely in Ireland. Fe deficiency does not occur in animals with access to soil. P, Cu and Se deficiency and kale/rape etc have been involved in post-parturient haemoglobinuria elsewhere. Haemolytic anaemia can arise in Cu toxicity, especially in sheep.
REMEDIAL ACTIONS in herd anaemia include:
Remedial actions

Identify and correct the causal factors

Mineral supplements?
Comments

 See main causes, above.

Anaemia due to mineral deficiency in cattle is rare in Ireland. If the levels of Cu, Se, Co or P are low on blood test, it is advisable to increase their supply.

A quick way to check if mineral deficiency is involved is to give a good mineral supplement high in trace-elements. If the animals do not show a good response within 3-6 weeks, the cause is unlikely to be mineral deficiency.
Phil Rogers MRCVS, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland​
Fax: 353-46-26154 Tel: 353-46-26740 (Lab)
[email protected]  |  [email protected]
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