Zinc Deficiency-Like Syndrome in Fleckvieh Calves: Clinical and Pathological Findings and Differentiation from Bovine Hereditary Zinc Deficiency

Langenmayer, M.C.; Jung, S.; Majzoub-Altweck, M.; Trefz, F.M.; Seifert, C.; Knubben-Schweizer, G.; Fries, R.; Hermanns, W.; Gollnick, N.S.

A total of 9 Fleckvieh calves (8 purebred and 1 Fleckvieh calf with an Angus grand-sire in the ancestral father line [according to owner]) admitted to the Clinic for Ruminants with Ambulatory and Herd Health Services between October 2009 and April 2015 were included. Inclusion criteria were typical zinc-deficiency-like skin alterations and a molecular genetic validation of the PLD4-status by 5 0 -exonuclease assay. 3 Two calves were monitored over several weeks, but 7 calves were euthanized within a few days after admission because of animal welfare reasons. A complete clinical examination was performed daily. Blood samples for laboratory analysis were routinely taken from the jugular vein for diagnostic purposes. Two calves were treated with oral zinc supplementation (Calf 2 5 480 mg and Calf 4 5 2,500 mg elementary zinc per day). These doses were within (Calf 2) and above (Calf 4) recommendations to treat BHZD. 8 All affected animals descended from carrier matings, which happened by chance during normal breeding routine on Bavarian Fleckvieh farms. Animal husbandry and care were carried out in accordance with institutional and national guidelines. No ethical approval was required for this study.