Health
Anaemia by calves
Anaemia is a condition in which too little blood pigment substance (haemoglobin = Hb) is in the blood.
Definition
Anaemia is a condition in which too little blood pigment substance (haemoglobin = Hb) is present in the blood. Anaemia in which visible symptoms occur (increased hart rate during exertion and an accelerated breathing), is seen in a haemoglobin level lower than 2.5 mmol/liter (4g/100ml).From the animal health point of view, the Hb in the blood should not be too low.
Cause
Anaemia is a result of an inadequate formulation, a too large loss or a too big degradation of blood pigment.Insufficient production of blood pigment can be caused by a shortage of construction materials and consumables (including iron, copper, cobalt, vitamin B12) or because the bone marrow or liver function is disturbed.
A too large loss can occur from chronic blood loss, for example, in a gut- or abomasum ulcer.
A too big degradation can be caused by an increased breakdown of red blood cells in a chronic infection caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites.