Clinical, ophthalmological, and pathological findings of hypovitaminosis A in cattle

  • Published : 2003.06.01

Abstract

From February to September in 1996, a lot of blind cattle were reported in Dangjin Area of Chungnam Province. Blindness were observed in the 143 calves of the 1,496 calves from 79 farms. Blind cattle were found only in the farms where green pasture was not fed. After administration of vitamin A as the type of feed additives and parenteral injection, the blindness cases were not occurred in those farms. Both pupils were totally dilated with the absence of pupillary light reflex in all blind cattle. In the ophthalmoscopic examination, the fundus revealed multi focal linear white mottling which was more severe in nontapetal fundus than tapetal fundus. Serum vitamin A concentration was as low as 4.1 ,$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl in the calves of the affected farms. Narrowing of optic foramen, retinal degeneration and optic disc atrophy were shown in pathological findings.

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