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Post by anna85 on Jul 11, 2006 10:21:34 GMT -1
I'll need to check with mum Pam but i think its to do with being Iron toxic as well which does something to Molybdenum which does something to the copper levels. V.confusing. I'll ask her to clarify later.
How maddening are you vets jay!! As I said before it most defiantly exists and I suggest they speak to Baileys themselves who can reassure them there is such a thing! Never mind, no a mineral block won''t do them anyharm at all.
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Post by harleydales on Jul 12, 2006 7:48:35 GMT -1
I only know about it because of cattle, and a friends black horse was deficient and it went smokey grey. It was tested and that was what it was. I think he had injections to put it right.
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Post by zeldalithgow on Jul 12, 2006 8:32:13 GMT -1
Taken from Horse Nutrition and Feeding by Sarah Pilliner
Copper interacts with sulphur and molybdenum; deficiencies of copper ion cattle have been associated with an excess of molybdenum in the soil. The horse appears to be better than cattle and sheep at withstanding copper deficiency but the signs of deficiency are anaemia, poor growth, hair depigmentation and weight loss. A lack of copper has also been implicated in some bone disorders. Copper is involved in the formation of bone, cartilage, elastin and hair pigment, and in the utilisation of iron during the production of haemoglobin and the red blood cells.
The amount of copper in feedstuffs is directly related to the levels of copper in the soil on which the feed was grown, as well as to the feed type. High levels are found in seeds and seed by-products.
There is some evidence that what were formerly regarded as satisfactory blood copper levels are infact too low, and that there is a relationship between low blodd copper levels and poor performance in racehorses, which can be overcome by feeding a high copper feed supplement.
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Post by jay on Jul 12, 2006 9:46:26 GMT -1
Thanks for that Zelda! I think I'll probably get a blood test done in a few weeks time if he doesn't get 'back to normal'....just for peace of mind. He's been on a competition mix this week to see if I can perk him up a bit for our show on Sunday....he should be charging around like a racehorse, but is still very lethargic!
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