Vitamin A Deficiency with Nervous Symptoms in Fattening Cattle

Abstract

In March, 1975, 28 fattening cattle were affected with diarrhea, salivation, nasal discharge, lacrimation, exophthalmos, mydriasis, reduced visual power, hyperesthesia, rotating movement, and blindness. Autopsy revealed an increase in cerebrospinal fluid, filling of blood vessels of the ocular fundus, and hepatomegaly. Histologically, hemorrhagic foci were scattered in the brain parenchyma and around blood vessels, nerve cells degenerated, neuronophages increased, the optic nerve was edematous, and vascular degeneration of the arachnoid was marked. In addition, the lung was congested and edematous, the epithelia of renal uriniferous tubules were detached after degeneration, and calcium was deposited in Bowman's capsules.
Biochemical tests were performed on 17 cattle and presented an extremely low level (13.2±12.4IU/dl) of vitamin A. The lower this level, the severer became the symptoms manifested.