Accidental molybdenum contamination induced fatal secondary copper deficiency in cattle (case report)
Sas, B.
Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 35(3): 281-289
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0236-6290 PMID: 3434510 Document Number: 302681
In a cattle farm located in central Hungary, consecutive fatal disease cases occurred among cows. The cause of these deaths was molybdenosis-induced secondary copper deficiency. The source of the environmental molybdenum pollution was used amotor oil containing molybdenum bisulphide as slipping additive, which accidentally polluted the cows' pasture located near the farm. Before the outbreak the animals had grazed for more than two weeks on the contaminated pasture. Two ill animals were in recumbent position and could not get up at all. They gave no positive response to intravenous treatment with 10.0 g calcium gluconate. At necropsy no specific changes were seen. Clinocochemical investigations showed minimal ceruloplasmin activity, low total and trichloroacetic acid (TCA-) soluble Cu concentrations in the blood, high molybdenum and low copper content in the rumen contents, livers and kidneys. The diseased animals were anaemic. The seriously ill cows died in spite of an injection of 100 mg copper glycinate. Symptomless animals survived.