Differential diagnosis
- Imbalance of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D
  metabolism
- Massive parasitism
- Johne's disease
- Demyelinating disease of the brain and spinal cord


Etiology
- Primary copper deficiency: to inadequate of copper
  intake
- Secondary copper deficiency: excess molybdenum
  intake


1. History taking
- Generally copper deficiency occurs in summer
  coinciding with the time at which the copper
  content of pasture is lowest
- Two types of soil on which copper deficiency plants
  are produced: sandy soils and "peat" or muck soils
- Young animals are much more susceptible to
  primary copper deficiency than are adults


2. Clinical examination
- Unthriftiness
- Loss of milk production
- The coat color is bleached rusty red and the coat
  become rough and staring
- Poor growth
- Chronic diarrhea
- Bone fracture

3. Necropsy
- Primary copper deficiency extensive deposits of
  hemosiderin in liver, spleen and kidney


4. Blood analysis
Specimen : serum
Method : AAS
Copper level in case of deficiency:
Cattle : serum < 0.5 ppm


5. Tissue analysis
Specimen : liver
Method : AAS
Copper level in case of deficiency:
Cattle : Liver < 20 ppm


6. Feed analysis
Specimen : feed, pasture
Method : AAS
Copper level in pasture < 3 ppm


Control and treatment
- The pasture containing less than 3 ppm of copper
  in dry matter will produce sign of deficiency in
  grazing ruminant
- Oral administration of copper sulfate
- Mineral mixtures of salt licks containing 2% of
  copper sulfate for cattle