Lack of effect of selenium supplementation on the incidence of weak calves in dairy herds
Rice, D.A.; McMurray, C.H.; Kennedy, S.; Ellis, W.A.
Veterinary Record 119(23): 571-573
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 3544461 Document Number: 269852
In recent years Northern Ireland has experienced an apparently increased incidence of a weak calf syndrome in dairy cows. In the majority of cases this condition is characterised by the birth of a live calf which fails to breath. The heart rate is greatly increased, probably owing to anoxia, and the calf dies, usually within five minutes. The fetal reflexes appear normal both in utero and in the birth canal. Respiratory distress and death follow the severance of the umbilical cord. The gestation period is usually of normal duration but the parturition is prolonged with the first and second stages of labour lasting up to 24 hours. A double blind controlled trial was carried out on four commercial dairy herds, to investigate the effect of one 50 mg injection of selenium, 10 days before parturition, on the incidence of weak calves. Although the treatment marginally increased the selenium status of treated calves it did not decrease the incidence of the weak calf syndrome.