Cobalt (Co):
Cobalt is a trace mineral vital to proper digestion in ruminants and camelids. Unless otherwise specified, the information on cobalt will apply to both ruminants and camelids, specified by the term "ruminant". Ruminants need cobalt in the rumen for beneficial bacteria to be able to assimilate nutrients and for bacteria health and survival. Cobalt is also needed for the vitamin B12 (cobalamin) manufacture and assimilation. While ruminants can store excess cobalt in the liver that can later be used to make vitamin B12, they cannot pull cobalt from the liver back into the rumen for proper digestion. Ruminants will die without regular ingestion of cobalt (NRC, 2001, p. 132). Injections of cobalt will not save them since the injected cobalt cannot be returned to the rumen either. If a ruminant becomes severely cobalt deficient, it will lose condition and literally starve to death. Loss of rumen bacteria leads to lack of all B vitamins, including B 12 but also thiamine (Fowler, 2010, p. 30). Lack of thiamine will lead to polioencephalomalacia, also called "star-gazing" for the odd way the head will roll back over the shoulders and the animal appears to be looking upward at the sky. Before reaching that stage, the animal may stagger, become weak and will not be eating. Eyes may twitch and roll back into the head. Because the rumen is not functioning, feeding B vitamins and thiamine at this point is worthless. Injectable vitamins will be necessary to save the animal.
Since cobalt is so necessary for proper digestion, for assimilation of all other minerals and feed, ruminants first need adequate cobalt in a form that is easily digested.
Some symptoms of cobalt deficiency include animals who are unable to gain weight, no matter how good the quality of the food is. They will eventually become anemic, which is called pernicious anemia since cobalt helps with metabolism of folate in the body (Underwood, 1981, p. 119).
Iron and cobalt are needed for vitamin B12 production. Vitamin B12 is stored in the liver and kidneys. Cobalt is also needed for iron absorption, as is copper. Cobalt deficient areas can support animals for a few months off their bodies' reserves before depletion becomes apparent. Low levels of deficiency may not show anemia, only unthriftiness and weight loss (Underwood, 1981, p. 115)
When cattle were fed cobalt amounts higher than needed to meet B12 requirements, they had enhanced ruminal digestion, especially of lower quality forage. This may either be a result of selection of rumen bacteria which need more cobalt or links between bacteria and feeds that allow bacteria to cling to the feed particles better. The results are taken to mean ruminants may have a higher requirement for cobalt than their B12 requirements would suggest (NRC, 2001, p. 133).
Other symptoms of deficiency include lack of vitamin B12, lack of appetite, lethargic and emaciation ("wasting disease"). White liver disease is associated with and a sign of cobalt deficiency. Ophthalmic discharge (tearing or rheumy eyes) can occur altho this also occurs with sulfur deficiency and low vitamin A. The animal may appear pale and cold, have fatty liver (and hypoproteinemia), decreased estrus, decreased milk and wool production (Abrams, 2000, p. 77; NRC, 1985, p. 19; Pugh, 2002, p. 25).
Deficiency of copper coinciding with cobalt deficiency makes determination more difficult. Cobalt deficient animals will be colder than normal contrast with fever conditions that may also cause loss of appetite, lethargy, etc. (Coleby, 2006, p. 97; Abrams, 2000, p. 77)
By Alethea Kenney, copyright 2015-2016. Do not reprint or copy without permission
References:
Abrams, J. 2000. Linton's Animal Nutrition and Veterinary Dietetics. India: Greenworld Publishers
Coleby, P. 2006. Natural Sheep Care. TX: AcresUSA
Fowler, M. 2010. Medicine and Surgery of Camelids. IA: Wiley-Blackwell.
National Research Council. 1985. Nutrient Requirements of Sheep. Wash. DC: Natl. Academy Press.
National Research Council 2001. Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle, 7th Ed. Wash. DC: Natl. Academy Press
Pugh, D. 2002. Sheep and Goat Medicine. PA: Saunders
Underwood, E. 1981. The Mineral Nutrition of Livestock. England: Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau.
Cobalt is a trace mineral vital to proper digestion in ruminants and camelids. Unless otherwise specified, the information on cobalt will apply to both ruminants and camelids, specified by the term "ruminant". Ruminants need cobalt in the rumen for beneficial bacteria to be able to assimilate nutrients and for bacteria health and survival. Cobalt is also needed for the vitamin B12 (cobalamin) manufacture and assimilation. While ruminants can store excess cobalt in the liver that can later be used to make vitamin B12, they cannot pull cobalt from the liver back into the rumen for proper digestion. Ruminants will die without regular ingestion of cobalt (NRC, 2001, p. 132). Injections of cobalt will not save them since the injected cobalt cannot be returned to the rumen either. If a ruminant becomes severely cobalt deficient, it will lose condition and literally starve to death. Loss of rumen bacteria leads to lack of all B vitamins, including B 12 but also thiamine (Fowler, 2010, p. 30). Lack of thiamine will lead to polioencephalomalacia, also called "star-gazing" for the odd way the head will roll back over the shoulders and the animal appears to be looking upward at the sky. Before reaching that stage, the animal may stagger, become weak and will not be eating. Eyes may twitch and roll back into the head. Because the rumen is not functioning, feeding B vitamins and thiamine at this point is worthless. Injectable vitamins will be necessary to save the animal.
Since cobalt is so necessary for proper digestion, for assimilation of all other minerals and feed, ruminants first need adequate cobalt in a form that is easily digested.
Some symptoms of cobalt deficiency include animals who are unable to gain weight, no matter how good the quality of the food is. They will eventually become anemic, which is called pernicious anemia since cobalt helps with metabolism of folate in the body (Underwood, 1981, p. 119).
Iron and cobalt are needed for vitamin B12 production. Vitamin B12 is stored in the liver and kidneys. Cobalt is also needed for iron absorption, as is copper. Cobalt deficient areas can support animals for a few months off their bodies' reserves before depletion becomes apparent. Low levels of deficiency may not show anemia, only unthriftiness and weight loss (Underwood, 1981, p. 115)
When cattle were fed cobalt amounts higher than needed to meet B12 requirements, they had enhanced ruminal digestion, especially of lower quality forage. This may either be a result of selection of rumen bacteria which need more cobalt or links between bacteria and feeds that allow bacteria to cling to the feed particles better. The results are taken to mean ruminants may have a higher requirement for cobalt than their B12 requirements would suggest (NRC, 2001, p. 133).
Other symptoms of deficiency include lack of vitamin B12, lack of appetite, lethargic and emaciation ("wasting disease"). White liver disease is associated with and a sign of cobalt deficiency. Ophthalmic discharge (tearing or rheumy eyes) can occur altho this also occurs with sulfur deficiency and low vitamin A. The animal may appear pale and cold, have fatty liver (and hypoproteinemia), decreased estrus, decreased milk and wool production (Abrams, 2000, p. 77; NRC, 1985, p. 19; Pugh, 2002, p. 25).
Deficiency of copper coinciding with cobalt deficiency makes determination more difficult. Cobalt deficient animals will be colder than normal contrast with fever conditions that may also cause loss of appetite, lethargy, etc. (Coleby, 2006, p. 97; Abrams, 2000, p. 77)
By Alethea Kenney, copyright 2015-2016. Do not reprint or copy without permission
References:
Abrams, J. 2000. Linton's Animal Nutrition and Veterinary Dietetics. India: Greenworld Publishers
Coleby, P. 2006. Natural Sheep Care. TX: AcresUSA
Fowler, M. 2010. Medicine and Surgery of Camelids. IA: Wiley-Blackwell.
National Research Council. 1985. Nutrient Requirements of Sheep. Wash. DC: Natl. Academy Press.
National Research Council 2001. Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle, 7th Ed. Wash. DC: Natl. Academy Press
Pugh, D. 2002. Sheep and Goat Medicine. PA: Saunders
Underwood, E. 1981. The Mineral Nutrition of Livestock. England: Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau.