{"id":8478,"date":"2016-02-17T16:52:46","date_gmt":"2016-02-17T16:52:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/?page_id=8478"},"modified":"2016-06-15T12:16:15","modified_gmt":"2016-06-15T11:16:15","slug":"cobalt-deficiency-in-sheep","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/disease-management\/sheep-diseases\/cobalt-deficiency-in-sheep\/","title":{"rendered":"Cobalt Deficiency in Sheep"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"printfriendly pf-button  pf-alignright\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/disease-management\/sheep-diseases\/cobalt-deficiency-in-sheep\/?pfstyle=wp\" rel=\"nofollow\" onclick=\"pfTrackEvent(&#039;Cobalt Deficiency in Sheep&#039;); return false;\" title=\"Printer Friendly, PDF & Email\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"pf-button-img\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.printfriendly.com\/buttons\/printfriendly-pdf-email-button-notext.png\" alt=\"Print Friendly, PDF & Email\" style=\"width: 110px;height: 30px;\"  \/>\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div><\/p>\n<h2>Sheep Diseases<\/h2><div id=\"gticontainer\"><div class=\"gti_clear\"><\/div><div id=\"gti_letterindex\"><ul><li><a href=\"#gti_all\">All<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_A\" href=\"#\">A<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_B\" href=\"#\">B<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_C\" href=\"#\">C<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_E\" href=\"#\">E<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_F\" href=\"#\">F<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_G\" href=\"#\">G<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_H\" href=\"#\">H<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_J\" href=\"#\">J<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_K\" href=\"#\">K<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_L\" href=\"#\">L<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_M\" href=\"#\">M<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_N\" href=\"#\">N<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_O\" href=\"#\">O<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_P\" href=\"#\">P<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_R\" href=\"#\">R<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_S\" href=\"#\">S<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_T\" href=\"#\">T<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_W\" href=\"#\">W<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"gti_clear\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tagindex\"><div id='gti_div_A'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_A'>A<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/acidosis-ruminal\/\">Acidosis - Ruminal<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/adenomatosis-pulmonary\/\">Adenomatosis - Pulmonary<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/arthritis-in-sheep\/\">Arthritis in Sheep<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_B'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_B'>B<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/barbers-pole-worm\/\">Barbers Pole Worm<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/sheep-blowfly-strike\/\">Blowfly Strike<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/border-disease\/\">Border Disease<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_C'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_C'>C<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/campylobacteriosis-2\/\">Campylobacteriosis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/ccn\/\">CCN<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/cerebrocortical-necrosis\/\">Cerebrocortical necrosis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/chlamydial-abortion\/\">Chlamydial Abortion<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/circling-disease\/\">Circling Disease<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/cobalt-deficiency-in-sheep\/\">Cobalt Deficiency<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/coccidiosis-in-lambs\/\">Coccidiosis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/coenurosis\/\">Coenurosis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/contagious-ecthyma\/\">Contagious Ecthyma<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/contagious-pustular-dermatitis\/\">Contagious Pustular Dermatitis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/contagious-respiratory-tumours\/\">Contagious Respiratory Tumours<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/copper-poisoning\/\">Copper Poisoning<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/cryptosporidiosis-in-lambs\/\">Cryptosporidiosis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_E'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_E'>E<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/e-coli-infection-in-lambs\/\">E. coli infection in lambs<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/eimeria-in-sheep\/\">Eimeria in sheep<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/encephalitis-listerial\/\">Encephalitis - Listerial<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/endoparasites-in-sheep\/\">Endoparasites in Sheep<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/enzootic-abortion-in-ewes\/\">Enzootic Abortion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_F'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_F'>F<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/fasciola-hepatica-in-sheep\/\">Fasciola<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/fly-strike\/\">Fly Strike<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/foot-abcess\/\">Foot Abcess<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/foot-rot\/\">Foot Rot<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_G'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_G'>G<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/granuloma\/\">Granuloma<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/grass-staggers-in-sheep\/\">Grass Staggers in sheep<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_H'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_H'>H<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/haemonchus\/\">Haemonchus contortus<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/hairy-shaker-lambs\/\">Hairy-shaker lambs<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/hypomagnesaemia-in-sheep\/\">Hypomagnesemia in Sheep<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_J'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_J'>J<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/jaagsiekte\/\">Jaagsiekte<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/joint-ill-sheep\/\">Joint-ill<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_K'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_K'>K<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/ketosis\/\">Ketosis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_L'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_L'>L<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/listeriosis-in-sheep\/\">Listeriosis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/liver-fluke-sheep\/\">Liver Fluke<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/louping-ill\/\">Louping-ill<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_M'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_M'>M<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/magnesium-deficiency-2\/\">Magnesium Deficiency<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/mange-psoroptic\/\">Mange - Psoroptic<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/myiasis\/\">Myiasis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_N'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_N'>N<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/nematodirus\/\">Nematodirus battus<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_O'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_O'>O<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/orf\/\">Orf<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_P'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_P'>P<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/parasitic-gastroenteritis\/\">Parasitic Gastroenteritis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/pen\/\">PEN<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/polioencephalomalacia\/\">Polioencephalomalacia<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/pregnancy-toxaemia-in-sheep\/\">Pregnancy Toxemia<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/pulmonary-adenomatosis\/\">Pulmonary Adenomatosis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_R'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_R'>R<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/roundworm\/\">roundworm<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/roundworms-in-sheep\/\">Roundworms in Sheep<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/ruminal-acidosis\/\">Ruminal Acidosis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_S'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_S'>S<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/scab\/\">Scab<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/scald\/\">Scald<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/sheep-scab\/\">Sheep Scab<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/shelly-hoof\/\">Shelly Hoof<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/suppurative-polyarthritis\/\">Suppurative Polyarthritis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_T'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_T'>T<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/taenia-multiceps\/\">Taenia multiceps<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/teladorsagia-circumcincta\/\">Teladorsagia circumcincta<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/thiamine-deficiency\/\">Thiamine Deficiency<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/toxaemia\/\">Toxemia, Pregnancy<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/toxoplasmosis\/\">Toxoplasmosis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/trichostrongylus\/\">Trichostrongylus<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_W'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_W'>W<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/watery-mouth-disease\/\">Watery Mouth Disease<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/white-line-separation\/\">White Line Separation<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/white-liver-disease\/\">White Liver Disease<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/worms-in-sheep\/\">Worms in Sheep<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h4>Cobalt Deficiency in Sheep<\/h4>\n<p><em><strong>Also known as: White Liver Disease<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_8509\" style=\"width: 286px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/CobaltDeficiency.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8509\" class=\"wp-image-8509\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/CobaltDeficiency-300x185.jpg\" alt=\"CobaltDeficiency\" width=\"276\" height=\"170\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/CobaltDeficiency-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/CobaltDeficiency.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 276px) 100vw, 276px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8509\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Cobalt deficiency or \u2018bush sickness\u2019, Western Australian, 1935 (from www.teara.govt.nz)<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Many soils and pastures across the world are deficient in cobalt, causing a deficiency in sheep grazing those pastures. Lambs, after weaning, are particularly susceptible to deficiency or &#8216;pine&#8217;, exhibiting a watery discharge from the eyes, reduced growth rates, debility and emaciation (<a href=\"#ref\">Henderson, 1990<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Vellema <em>et al<\/em>., 1997<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Suttle, 2010<\/a>). In severe cases there is a loss of appetite, anemia and eventually death. Resistance to diseases such as gastro-intestinal parasites\u00a0may also be impaired (<a href=\"#ref\">Ferguson <em>et al<\/em>., 1989<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Vellema <em>et al<\/em>., 1996<\/a>). The livers of the lambs become pale, swollen and friable through the accumulation of lipids (ovine white liver disease) (<a href=\"#ref\">Kennedy <em>et al<\/em>., 1994a<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Kennedy <em>et al<\/em>., 1994b<\/a>).\u00a0<\/strong><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Adult ewes affected by cobalt deficiency are less common, but may show secondary effects in the form of infertility and poor mothering ability, and there is evidence that cobalt deficiency in pregnant ewes reduces the viability of their offspring (<a href=\"#ref\">Fisher and MacPherson, 1991<\/a>).\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"two_third\">\n<div class=\"custom-table-3\">\n<table style=\"height: 363px;\" width=\"639\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"130\"><strong>Disorder<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"95\"><strong>Time course <\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"151\"><strong>Principal feature<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"189\"><strong>Vulnerable animals<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"130\">Ill-thrift<\/td>\n<td width=\"95\">Semi-chronic<\/td>\n<td width=\"151\">Slow growth at pasture<\/td>\n<td width=\"189\">Young lambs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"130\">\u2018Pine\u2019<\/td>\n<td width=\"95\">Chronic<\/td>\n<td width=\"151\">Weight loss<\/td>\n<td width=\"189\">Lambs and ewes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"130\">White-liver disease<\/td>\n<td width=\"95\">Semi-acute<\/td>\n<td width=\"151\">Fatty liver<\/td>\n<td width=\"189\">Lambs and Angora kids<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"130\">\u2018Hepatic lipidosis\u2019<\/td>\n<td width=\"95\">Semi-acute<\/td>\n<td width=\"151\">Fatty liver<\/td>\n<td width=\"189\">Goat kids on low protein diets<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>The table above is from <a href=\"#ref\">Suttle<\/a> (2010) and summarizes the main cobalt deficiency\u00a0disorders found in sheep and goats<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"one_third last\">\n<div class=\"description clearfix style-3\">\n<h3>Around the world<\/h3>\n<p>Cobalt deficiency has been historically recorded as \u2018coast disease\u2019 of sheep in South Australia, \u2018wasting disease\u2019 of cattle in Western Australia, \u2018cobalt pine\u2019 in north-west Scotland, \u2018bush-sickness\u2019 in New Zealand, \u2018salt sickness\u2019 in Florida, \u2018Nakuruitis\u2019 in Kenya, \u2018lecksucht\u2019 in the Netherlands and Germany and \u2018Grand Traverse disease\u2019 in Michigan (<a href=\"#ref\">Suttle, 2010<\/a>). <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<h4>How do sheep use cobalt?<\/h4>\n<p>The only known biological role for cobalt is as a constituent of vitamin B12, which has two major coenzyme functions in the body and is used in the liver for energy production. Methylcobalamin promotes methionine synthesis. Methionine supply ultimately influences DNA synthesis (<a href=\"#ref\">Kennedy<em> et al<\/em>., 1992<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Kennedy <em>et al<\/em>., 1994a<\/a>). Deoxyadenosylcobalamin performs a key role in the energy metabolism of ruminants by facilitating the metabolism of propionate, which is an important precursor of glucose in ruminants (<a href=\"#ref\">Kennedy <em>et al<\/em>., 1991<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Ruminants rely entirely on their rumen microbes to incorporate cobalt into vitamin B12. The vitamin B12 status of the animals is therefore not entirely dependent on the level of cobalt in the soil and diet (<a href=\"#ref\">Reid and Horvath, 1980<\/a>). The efficiency with which cobalt is incorporated into vitamin B12 by the rumen microbes, the efficiency of absorption and the metabolic demands of the coenzyme-dependent functions are also important factors. Dietary levels of cobalt below 0.08 mg (1.4 m mol)\/kg DM are regarded as inadequate, but are not invariably associated with loss of production.<\/p>\n<p>With regard to the effect of cobalt deficiency on disease resistance and immuno-competence, there are reports of impaired leucocyte and lymphocyte responses to in vitro challenges in cobalt deficient sheep, but their relevance to disease resistance in vivo is unproven (<a href=\"#ref\">Suttle and Jones, 1989<\/a>). Cobalt deficiency has reduced lamb survival and increased susceptibility to parasitic infection transiently in cattle and lastingly in sheep.<\/p>\n<p>There can be considerable annual variation in incidence of deficiency on the same farm (<a href=\"#ref\">Lee, 1951<\/a>). Sheep and Angora goats may be particularly susceptible because of their high requirements of fleece growth (<a href=\"#ref\">Suttle, 2012<\/a>). Intensively managed, fast-growing lambs will have higher requirements for cobalt and hence may be more susceptible. Young male lambs can also be particularly vulnerable within a flock (<a href=\"#ref\">Shallow <em>et al<\/em>., 1989<\/a>).<\/p>\n<div class=\"description clearfix style-1\">\n<h4>Soil cobalt levels<\/h4>\n<p>There appears to be annual variation in the extent of cobalt deficiency problems, and although areas of known cobalt deficiency are documented, the relationship between soil, plant and animal cobalt status is complex and therefore it is difficult to predict problem years (<a href=\"#ref\">Reid and Horvath, 1980<\/a>). Soil pH, soil compaction and rapidly growing pastures can all affect the uptake of cobalt by herbage. Pasture cobalt is reduced as the soil pH rises and increased by poor soil drainage and herbage concentrations increases if plants are contaminated with soil (<a href=\"#ref\">Suttle, 2010<\/a>). Ingested soil can be a significant source of cobalt for grazing sheep (<a href=\"#ref\">Grace, 2006<\/a>). Soils with high molybdenum content can induce cobalt deficiency (<a href=\"#ref\">Suttle <em>et al<\/em>., 1975<\/a>). Soil values of cobalt below 0.3 mg (5.1 m mol)\/kg soil are regarded as &#8216;deficient&#8217;.<\/div>\n<h4>Methods of Control and Prevention<\/h4>\n<p>Sheep need a continuous supply of cobalt, as the body&#8217;s capacity to store vitamin B12 is limited. Whether cobalt deficiency is the reason behind the animal&#8217;s poor performance can be established by measuring the plasma B12 level of the lamb in question.\u00a0There is considerable variation in the cobalt concentrations in pasture species with clovers having higher levels than ryegrass (<a href=\"#ref\">Minson, 1990<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Suttle, 2010<\/a>). Cereals have low concentrations, particularly whole grains. The lower productivity of grassland and forage areas under low input management means that the cobalt concentration in the plants is likely to be higher in cobalt deficient areas than in more intensively managed systems. The use of leguminous plants in pastures will also improve the mineral content of the sward.<\/p>\n<p>Cobalt deficiency is very difficult to prevent by methods of management. Farmers in areas where the soil is very deficient may have to import feed stuff from areas where cobalt deficiency is not a problem, which may counter our sustainability goals. Geo-chemical survey techniques are now being used to assess the risk of soil mineral deficiencies, including cobalt (<a href=\"#ref\">Lark <em>et al<\/em>., 2014<\/a>).<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_832\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/lambs.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-832\" class=\"wp-image-832 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/lambs-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"lambs\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/lambs-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/lambs.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-832\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Supplemented feeds are not the best way to introduce cobalt as it can result in variable intakes<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<p>Several methods of supplying cobalt are used in conventional sheep farming. They include: supplementation of concentrate feeds, cobalt supplementation in salt licks\/ free access minerals, oral administration of cobalt slow-release pellets\/boluses, periodic oral drenching with cobalt and application of cobalt sulfate directly to pasture. The application of cobalt sulfate to pasture used to be one of the most commonly used methods of preventing cobalt deficiency (<a href=\"#ref\">Paterson<em> et al<\/em>., 1989<\/a>). The increased price of cobalt salts has tended to moderate their use as fertilizers and applying it in strips can save costs. Adding cobalt salts or oxides to pasture may also stimulate legume growth rates. The frequency of fertilizing will be very dependent on soil type and management (<a href=\"#ref\">Suttle, 2010<\/a>). Fertilizer treatment is unreliable on soils that are highly alkaline and those that have been recently limed. The efficiency of cobalt fertilizers as a means of alleviating problems of cobalt deficiency depends on the manganese content of the soil. Soils high in manganese oxides will fix cobalt in a form that is unavailable to grazing animals (<a href=\"#ref\">Adams <em>et al.<\/em>, 1969<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Oral drenching with cobalt sulfate solutions is a good alternative, but costly in labor and impracticable on many farms, as it needs to be repeated weekly or every two weeks. Oral drenching with anthelmintics containing cobalt is becoming increasingly popular in conventional farming, with many anthelmintics on the market containing cobalt and selenium (<a href=\"#ref\">Bremner <em>et al.<\/em>, 1988<\/a>). This method is not applicable in\u00a0organic farming as the prophylactic use of anthelmintics is usually not permitted.\u00a0It is also important to<strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0know the resistance status of your farm, as\u00a0the principle group of anthelmintics that is combined with cobalt is 1-BZ (white drenches), which has the highest level of resistance of the drench types in the UK (80% of UK farms have 1-BZ resistance (Source: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scops.org.uk\/\">SCOPS<\/a>). \u00a0Generally it is not advisable to use an anthelmintic for anything other than the narrow spectrum activity for which it is designed.<\/span><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Slow release boluses containing several minerals including cobalt slowly dissolve in the reticulo-rumen and release cobalt on a continuous basis, which is the ideal situation for the rumen microorganisms&#8217; requirements. Cobalt oxide boluses should not be used in lambs before weaning, as an insoluble coating of calcium phosphate can form on the bolus, preventing the release of cobalt. Castrated male lambs have been shown to respond better to glass bolus supplementation than ewe lambs (<a href=\"#ref\">Shallow <em>et al<\/em>., 1989<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Free access minerals are not a very suitable method of supplying cobalt because of variable intakes. Supplements are a valuable method for ensuring the correct cobalt status of home mixed rations. Mineral mixes containing as little as 680 m mol (40 mg) Co\/kg will provide adequate Co intake when they are included at a rate of 25 kg per tonne, provided the concentrate forms at least 10 per cent of the total food intake. Unfortunately, lambs are rarely fed concentrates during high-risk periods for cobalt.<\/p>\n<p>Grazing management has been shown to have an impact. Short heavily-grazed pastures may reduce the severity of cobalt-deficiency disease and heavy grazing, which increases the cobalt intake from soil contaminated pastures, can also offer some protection (<a href=\"#ref\">Andrews <em>et al<\/em>., 1958<\/a>).<\/p>\n<div class=\"description clearfix style-1\">\n<h3>For organic farmers<\/h3>\n<p>Organic farming standards permit mineral supplementation of animals only where trace element requirements cannot be met by the practice of organic husbandry. Pasture treatment with cobalt chloride or sulfate, or the use of slow release boluses containing cobalt, would be the preferred options. Boluses satisfy the animals&#8217; requirements for cobalt plus the need for animal handling would be minimal. Mineral licks would also be acceptable although intakes can vary considerably between animals.<\/p><\/div>\n<h4>Methods of Treatment<\/h4>\n<p>Cobalt deficiency can be established by measuring blood plasma B12 level. The most immediate and short term response to symptoms of cobalt deficiency will be obtained by injecting commercially available cyanocobalamin, straight vitamin B12 or oral drench of cobalt sulfate.<\/p>\n<p>It should be possible to prevent the use of more than one injection by changing to other methods of prevention, such as pasture treatment with a cobalt salt or the use of boluses. Treatment by oral dosing with cobalt sulfate gives a dramatic increase in the vitamin B12 synthesis of the rumen microbes. Veterinary advice should be sought for all veterinary treatments.<\/p>\n<h4>Good Practice based on Current Knowledge<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Establish whether the soil is deficient in cobalt.<\/li>\n<li>Establish whether cobalt deficiency is the reason why the lambs are not flourishing. Blood sample a proportion of the flock for analysis.<\/li>\n<li>Use plants in the sward (e.g. legumes) which contain a higher level of minerals, including cobalt.<\/li>\n<li>Use slower growing breeds of sheep.<\/li>\n<li>If necessary, control and prevent cobalt deficiency in the animals with a cobalt-containing bolus, in-feed minerals, drenching or mineral licks, or by treating the pasture with a cobalt salt.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<p>See also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/disease-management\/cattle-diseases\/cobalt-deficiency\/\">Cobalt deficiency in cattle<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/health-welfare\/sheep\/sheep-nutrition\/\">Sheep Nutrition<\/a> for further information.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"ref\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"toggle\">\n<div class=\"toggle-title active\">Cobalt deficiency in sheep References<span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"toggle-inner\">\n<div id=\"zotpress-4f9ee60557a96939126ec75e0396ba27\" class=\"zp-Zotpress zp-Zotpress-Bib wp-block-group\">\n\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_API_USER_ID\" style=\"display: none;\">254757<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_ITEM_KEY\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_COLLECTION_ID\" style=\"display: none;\">WR849B7E<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_TAG_ID\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_AUTHOR\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_YEAR\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n        <span class=\"ZP_ITEMTYPE\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n        <span class=\"ZP_ITEM_TYPE\" style=\"display: none;\">items<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_INCLUSIVE\" style=\"display: none;\">1<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_STYLE\" style=\"display: none;\">apa<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_LIMIT\" style=\"display: none;\">0<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_SORTBY\" style=\"display: none;\">author<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_ORDER\" style=\"display: none;\">asc<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_TITLE\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_SHOWIMAGE\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_SHOWTAGS\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_DOWNLOADABLE\" style=\"display: none;\">1<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_NOTES\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_ABSTRACT\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_CITEABLE\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_TARGET\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_URLWRAP\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_FORCENUM\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n        <span class=\"ZP_HIGHLIGHT\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n        <span class=\"ZP_POSTID\" style=\"display: none;\">8478<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZOTPRESS_PLUGIN_URL\" style=\"display:none;\">https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/zotpress\/<\/span>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"zp-List loading\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"zp-SEO-Content\">\n\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .zp-zp-SEO-Content -->\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .zp-List -->\n\t<\/div><!--.zp-Zotpress-->\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":6555,"parent":1605,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-fullwidth.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8478"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8478"}],"version-history":[{"count":76,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8478\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12016,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8478\/revisions\/12016"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1605"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8478"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}