Zinc sulphate in the drinking water of lactating dairy cows for facial eczema control

B.L. Smith, P.P. Embling, M.G. Pearce

Ruakura Animal Research Station, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hamilton

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1983, 43: 217-220

Zinc sulphate (0.35 g Zn/litre) in the drinking water of lactating dairy cows prevented the effects of both a mild natural spore challenge and the subsequent severe challenge of dosed sporidesmin. The changes recorded (serum gamma glutamyl transferase, liver and urinary bladder injury score, daily milk production and clinical and live weight changes) in the unprotected control group indicate considerable toxic injury whereas the changes in the group receiving zinc in drinking water were minimal indicating excellent protection.

Water consumption records for the 2 groups did not indicate that the zinc treated water was substantially discriminated against.

Keywords: NZSAPAB; Zinc; prevention; prophylaxis; sporidesmin; facial eczema; drinking water; milk; calcium; Pithomyces chartarum

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