Laminitis and dermatitis in heifers associated with excessive carbohydrateintake: skin lesions and biochemical findings

The effects of a sudden addition of a large quantity of readily fermentable carbohydrate to the feed ration of pregnant heifers art described. Clinica l and pathological changes caused by the resulting disease were confined tu the digits and skin. The 4 acutely affected heifers were reluctant to get up or move (group II). They tended to lie down or stand with feet bunched t ogether and the back arched, often shifting weight from limb to limb. They walked stiffly with great tenderness and rain in the digits. Extreme pain w as noticed when the diets were examined. In 4 of 8 heifers, separation of t he sole at the heel, with leakage of exudate, and under-running of the sole were observed. Necrotic dermatitis of the legs, alopecia and hyperkeratosi s of the tail were noticed in all 8 ht ift rs. Skin lesions appeared simult aneously. Four of the heifers (group I) recovered, and the other 4 (group I I) were sent to slaughter. No post mortem examination was performed. Tnt bi ochemical findings revealed a significantly higher concentration of total s erum globulins and sodium, and increased activity in CK, LDH and AST. A sig nificantly decreasing pattern was noted in blood urea concentration, choles terol, triglycerides, albumin and calcium. No significant differences among the various groups were found in the activities of amylase, GGT; and conce ntration of creatinine, total bilirubin, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium an d potassium.