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.

The study involved 2 female and 7 male calves. Calves were admitted at median 81 days of age (mean: 116 days; range: 37-372 days) and necropsied at median 90 days of age (mean: 122 days; range: 38-373 days). The owners observed first skin lesions at median age of 45 days (mean: 49 days; range: 21-95 days). Calves were presented with a history of recurrent diarrhea, fever, dyspnea, and runting. Calf 5 had a female twin, which deceased with 79 days (necropsy was not conducted). The twin's first skin lesions were detected on the head, best obvious around the muzzle and periorbital regions and on the ventrum. Calves 2, 4, 6, and 9 were PO supplemented with zinc before admission to the Clinic for Ruminants (elementary zinc per day: Calf 2: 480 mg for 21 days; Calf 4: 333 mg for 24 days and 2500 mg for 11 days; Calf 6: dosage unknown, treatment for 24 days; Calf 9: 10-16 mg for 150 days). However, zinc supplementation did not lead to amelioration of the clinical signs. The results of the clinical examinations of Calves 1-9 are summarized in Table 1 . A moderate to severe exudative and crusting generalized dermatitis was present in all calves (Fig 1a,b ). Skin regions with mild lesions displayed loose flakes. In moderate to severely affected regions there were large plates with rhagades, consisting of crusts, keratin, and hair (Fig 1c) . Removal of single plates was not possible without injuring the epidermis. Moderate to severe lesions were predominantly localized on the head (around the muzzle, eyes, and on the forehead, Fig 1b) , ventrum (Regio sternalis, R. umbilicalis), joints (R. cubiti, R. carpi, R. genus/ plicae lateralis, R. tarsi), and inguinal and axillary region. The peripheral lymph nodes were enlarged in all calves (Fig 1d) . Calves 1, 4, and 5 displayed interdigital small erosions. Several calves displayed mucosal lesions and excessive salivation, 5 calves displayed yellow plaques on their incisors. Calf 9 was infested by numerous Damalinia. Seven calves displayed signs of weakness: weight shifting from 1 hind leg to the other and sudden bending of knees (5 calves), constant muscle tremor (Calf 3), and inability to rise (Calf 1). Calves 3 and 5 were extremely exhausted, did not move after being placed in lateral recumbency and fell into deep sleep immediately. Additionally, Calf 3 was introverted and chewed idly during examination.