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This article was published in 1975
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Copper Deficiency in Cattle - Symptoms Seen in Association With Low Blood Copper Status
P.G. Honey, B.V.Sc., Veterinary Inspector, Glen Innes
The symptoms described are those frequently seen in association with low blood copper status. On the far north coast of New South Wales it is likely that other nutritional and disease factors are operating in concurrence. However, copper deficiency is the one common factor.
Poor Coat:
This is the most obvious symptom of copper deficiency. The hair loses its pigmentation. Red cattle become yellow, black cattle become a rusty colour or a grey shade of black. The coat loses its shine. The hair can be easily pulled out and the skin becomes scurfy and hyperkeratotic.
Ill Thrift:
Cattle suffering from copper deficiency may exhibit ill thrift. This is often in association with a low plane of nutrition. Cattle with low blood copper status often appear normal under an otherwise high plane of nutrition.
The ill-thrifty animals are thin, weak and indolent. They appear spiritless and are easily handled. Production is low and because calves are forced to graze early an internal parasite problem can superimpose itself on the young stock.
Bone Fragility:
Fractures are common in copper deficient cattle. A history is often obtained of spontaneous fractures during droving, trucking or other exercise.
During mating females often suffer fractured transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae. The problem is often made worse when an owner buys a full grown bull in robust condition and puts it with his weak females.
Another common fracture site is the tuber coxal. The 'hip' avulses and is resorbed as a result of trauma in crushes, gateways, etc.
Arthropathy:
Young Calves are sometimes seen with swollen carpal and tarsal joints. The gait is stilted as in contracted tendons. The swellings are soft and relatively painless as the cartilage matrix has not calcified.
Subluxation of the hip joints is occasionally seen in adults. These animals can still move around.
Scouring:
Scouring is often seen in cattle suffering from copper deficiency. On the Northern Rivers this scouring is probably due to concurrent infection with Fasciola, Paramphistomes, Strongyles or all three. The weaker cattle appear to succumb to internal parasites. Mucosal Disease and Infectious Bovine Rhinatracheitis antibodies are frequently found in scouring cattle suffering from copper deficiency - a fact I will not endeavour to interpret.
Anaemia:
Copper deficiency is regarded as a cause of anaemia. Copper is essential for activity of the enzyme Cytochrome oxidase which is involved in haemoglobin formation. On the Northern Rivers this anaemia is compounded by concurrent internal parasite infestation.
Infertility:
Hypothalmo-hypophiseal failure of varying degrees can be associated with copper deficiency. Lactation anoestrus can be a problem with trying to get females, especially first call heifers, back into the breeding programme. Copper deficiency can cause considerable problems in getting a calf per cow per year.
Infertility - exhibited by repeated returning to service, is also a problem. Only marginal copper deficiency is needed to cause a low first service non-return rate.
The total result of copper deficiency in a breeding herd is staggered calving when unrestricted mating is practised and low calving percentages under a restricted mating programme.
Hypothalma-hypophiseal failure due to copper deficiency can occur without any other apparent deficiency symptoms.
Falling Disease:
The syndrome is frequently described although not seen by the writer. Adult animals apparently in good health throw up their heads, bellow and die suddenly. Cases may linger up to 24 hours - pivoting on the front legs is characteristic of these cases.