Hypomagnesaemia

• Magnesium is important for muscular and nervous conduction.
• Low Mg ⁺⁺ diets may induce acute hypo-magnesaemia in lactating cows.
  • Seen as tremors and convulsions (tetany).
  • For example, poor quality silage.
• High K⁺ diets induce a relative Mg⁺⁺ imbalance.
  • For example, lush pasture.
  • Known as "grass staggers".
  • Produces tetany and ataxia, and sometimes cardiac arrest.
  • Only shock haemorrhages can be seen at autopsy; i.e. non-specific findings.