Clinical and subclinical lameness in young fattening cattle

Time dependent changes of subclinical and clinical lameness were analysed i n 493 fattening bulls in three different herds with a total number of 30.62 1 animals. In the majority of cases subclinical lameness were observed whic h were caused by metabolic acidosis or deficiencies in mineral intake (P an d probably Ca). The activity of alkaline phosphatase in plasma exhibited an increase and the dry matter in bone (tubera coxae) a decrease before the a ppearance of clinical symptoms. Changes in bone composition were accompanie d by alterations of plasma Ca and P concentrations, which finally led to cl inical lameness. Hence the diagnosis was verified by simple laboratory meth ods as the precondition for successful treatment and prophylaxis of lamenes s caused by metabolic disorders.