Enfermidades digitais em bovinos confinados: uso parenteral do cobre na prevenção

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of parenteral administration of copper for prevention of digital diseases in confined bovines, using 240 animals, divided in four groups of 60 (GI, GII, GIII, GIV). The GI and GII were 24-month old and the groups III and IV 12-month old bovines; for GI was given 100 milligrams of active copper and for GIII 75 mg, both by subcutaneous administration in the beginning of the study. The other ones formed the control groups. After slaughtering, the hepatic and renal copper dosage and the histopathologic exams from the liver and kidneys from the bovines of GI and GII were performed. The GI, GII, GIII and GIV had, respectively, 8 (13,33%), 17 (28,33%), 2 (3,33%) and 6 (10%) cases of digital diseases, in 33 (13,75%) cases. The application of parenteral active copper was efficient for reduction of the incidence of digital disease in bovines. The 24- month old animals that had administered copper showed higher frequency of foot diseases than the group of 12-month old, equally treated. The hepatic and renal concentrations of copper indicated depletion levels, however, it did not cause clinical signs of lack of this mineral.