A Case of Concurrent Molybdenosis, Secondary Copper, Cobalt and Selenium Deficiency in a Small Sheep Herd in Northern Germany.

To the author's knowledge this paper describes the first proven report of a combined primary molybdenosis, secondary copper (Cu) deficiency, Ovine White Liver Disease-Cobalt (Co) deficiency, and selenium (Se) deficiency in a small pedigree herd of White Horned Heath sheep in Germany (8 ewes, 2 rams, 3 yearling ewes, 17 lambs) for decades. Clinical signs associated with these mineral deficiencies in a group of pastured ram lambs included emaciation, conjunctivitis, anaemia, growth retardation, discolouration of the wool and photodermatitis. Morbidities and mortalities arose in 4-6-month-old lambs despite intensive veterinary treatment in the summer of 2014 and 2015 (n = 13, 23% died). Se (3/5), Cu (4/7), and Co (3/3) deficiencies in combination with elevated values for Molybdenum (Mo, 2/2) were found. Hamburg is a large industrial city and an input of heavy metals from surrounding industries and coal-fired power stations in combination with a sandy, non-fertilised soil and monoculture grass species might offer a potential explanation for the severity of mineral deficiencies observed in this herd.

Chewing patterns in horses during the intake of variable quantities of two pelleted compound feeds differing in their physical characteristics only.

Pelleted feeds (PF) are popular in horse nutrition because of high palatability and improved feeding hygiene, but ingestion is faster for PF than for cereals or muesli feed. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether variable amounts of two PFs produced with different physical properties from the same batch of feed can affect feed intake patterns in horses. Chewing patterns were measured in six warmblood mares (519 ±â€¯36.3 kg) on two PFs (small-sized PF1: ø 5 mm, length 21.9 ±â€¯4.97 mm, large-sized PF2: edge length 15.6 ±â€¯0.14 × 15.6 ±â€¯0.08 mm, length 54.4 ±â€¯9.59 mm) in three different amounts (1.0, 1.5, 2.0 kg) once per day additional to hay. PF 2 was ingested faster than PF1 for the meal size 1.0 kg, but PF 1 was ingested more rapidly with a reduced chewing intensity if the offered meal size increased. The ingestion of PF 2 tendentially elevated the chewing intensity at higher meal sizes. An additional, but inverted meal size effect compared to 1.0 kg, was observed for 1.5 kg, where PF 1 was ingested at a higher speed combined with a lower chewing intensity compared to PF 2. Independent from the offered amount, PF 2 induced a markedly increased saliva production combined with a higher daily water intake. Larger-sized pellets seem to intensify the chewing process and decelerate the ingestion time if the meal size becomes larger.