CLINICAL AND LABORATORY STUDIES OF PROLONGED RECUMBENCY OF CATTLE AND BUFFALO-COWS IN ASSIUT GOVERNORATE

A total number of 78 animals (6-11 years old) of both native cattle and buffaloes (37 cows and 41 buffalo-cows) were used. Out of these 78 animals, 6 cows pregnant in 7-9 months and 6 buffalo cows, pregnant in 8-10 months were clinically healthy and kept as control. 31 cows and 35 buffalo-cows were recumbent and unable to rise for a period varied from 2-30 days. The recumbent animals were either in the late stage of pregnancy or after parturition. The
Assiut Vet. Med. J. Vol. 39 No. 78, July 1998
recumbent cases showed anorexia, emaciation, weakness and depression, in addition to these symptoms some cases showed variable nervous signs, others showed blackish diarrhoea, severe anaemia, dehydration, emaciation and complete loss of appetite. There were other 3 groups of recumbent cases: those suffering from late abortion, retained placenta and pyometra, those suffering from traumatic fractures in the pelvic and femur bones and others suffering from edema in the dewlap and lower limbs, strong jugular pulsation, muffling of the heart sounds, emaciation and anorexia. On the basis of clinical examination, in association with laboratory findings, the causes of recumbency were attributed to hypocalcaemia in late stage of pregnancy (non parturient hypocalcaemia), parturient paresis, hypomagnesaemia, abomasal ulcer, post-abortion toxaemia, traumatic fractures and pericarditis. Blood serum levels of Ca, was significantly decreased in all recumbent cattle and buffalo-cows. Severe drop of Ca, in blood serum of the group of parturient paresis. Magnesium level was significantly decreased only in hypomagnaesemic cows. Blood serum levels of P, K and Fe were significantly decreased in cows suffering from non parturient hypocalcaemia, parturient paresis, hypomagnesaemia and abomasal ulcer and in buffalo-cows with non-parturient hypocalcaemia and parturient pariesis. Blood serum iron was also significantly decreased in cattle and buffalo- cows suffering from traumatic fracture and in buffalo-cows with pericarditis. There were a significant decrease in blood serum copper of recumbent buffaloes. Serum zinc was significantly decreased in cows with non parturient hypocalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia and traumatic fracture and in buffaloes suffering from parturient paresis, traumatic fractures and pericarditis. High significant increase in the activities of aspartate amino transferase (AST) and creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) have been observed in all recumbent groups. There were a significant reduction in serum total protein, albumin and glucose in all recumbent groups. Total erythrocytic counts, Hb and PCV were significantly decreased in non parturient hypocalcaemia, parturient paresis, hypomagnaesemia and abomasal ulcer. Fatal hemorrhagic anaemia was observed in cows with abomasal ulcer. Leucocytosis was observed in abomasal ulcers, post abortion toxaemia, bone fracture and pericarditis. Extensive supplemental therapy with mineral elements, vitamins and anti
inflammatory for a long period proved a good response when administered as early as possible.