Differential diagnosis
- Lead poisoning
- Ketosis
- Nitrate poisoning
- Milk fever


Etiology
- High levels of potassium and nitrogen in grass
  combine to limit magnesium absorption
- High protein and low energy


1. History taking
- Occur as a herd problem
- Low dietary magnesium intake


2. Clinical examination
- Acute case
- Increased excitability
- Staggering
- Salivation and champing of jaws foaming
- Body temperature may rise to higter than
40°C
- Increased sensitivity to strange noises
- Paresis and tetany
- Convulsion
- Sudden death
- Subacute case
- Decreased milk supply in cows
- Staggering
- Increased muscular spasms, rigidity of the
neck muscle
- Grimling teeth
- Pupil dilation


3. Necropsy
- No abnormality occur
- Mild inflammation of the fourth stomach and small
  intestines in some cases

- Dark patches in the subcutaneous tissue
- Extravasation of blood in subcutaneous tissue,
  pericardium, endocardium, pleura, peritoneum
  and intestinal mucosa
- Hemorrhage under capsule of spleen and cardiac
  muscle


4. Histopathological observation
- Calcium salt deposit in the elastic fibers of arteries
  in the heart, lung and spleen


5. Blood analysis
Specimen : serum, plasma
Method : atomic absorption spectrophotometry
- Level : normal levels = 1.7-3.0 mg/dl
: inadequate levels = 1.0-1.5 mg/dl
- Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is decreased
: normal levels = 5-20 mg/dl


6. Feed analysis
Specimen : feed
Method : atomic absorption spectrophotometry
- Level : low level of magnesium & calcium
in diet


Control and treatment
Treatment
- In calves, inject 10% magnesium sulphate solution
  to subcutaneous and follow by oral administration
  of 10-15 grams of magnesium oxide daily
Control
- Dietary supplement of dairy magnesium Fertilizing
  pastures, to provide fields containing 0.25%
  magnesium, will prevent the magnesium deficiency