A reconnaissance survey of farmers' awareness of hypomagnesaemic tetany in UK cattle and sheep farms
A reconnaissance survey of farmers' awareness of hypomagnesaemic tetany in UK cattle and sheep farms
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DOI：
10.1371/journal.pone.0223868
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发表时间：
2019-10-11
期刊：
影响因子：
3.7
通讯作者：
Ander, E. Louise
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Kumssa, Diriba B.;Penrose, Beth;Ander, E. Louise
反刍动物的低镁血症性四肢痉挛（HypoMgT）是一种由肠道镁摄入不足或吸收受损引起的生理障碍。如果不及时发现和治疗，HypoMgT可导致受感染动物死亡。2016年7月至2017年7月进行了一项半结构化问卷调查，以评估英国农民对牛羊中HypoMgT的认识。调查问卷在农场商业活动和农业展览中分发给农民，并通过独立兽医实践合作小组分发给他们的客户。农民被问及以下问题：(i)推定的低omgt （PHT）发生率；（ii）他们治疗或预防轻度糖尿病的策略；（iii）对动物、饲料和土壤进行矿物试验，以及（iv）农场企业类型。共收到来自82头牛、157头混合牛羊和46名牧羊户的285份回复，其中39%的牧羊户报告其牲畜中存在HypoMgT，影响1-30头牲畜。96%的PHT应答者和79%的非PHT应答者报告了对HypoMgT的治疗和/或预防。无论PHT如何，分别有24%、53%和66%的应答者对动物、饲料和土壤进行了矿物试验。使用干预措施治疗HypoMgT与PHT发病率之间存在高度显著的相关性（p < 0.01）。据报告，使用的前三种治疗/预防策略分别是免费补充（149例）、饲料补充（59例）和直接对动物进行治疗（淋淋、丸剂和注射剂）（45例），尽管这些策略因农场类型而异。虽然一些(9)报告使用了mg -石灰，但没有其他牧场管理干预措施（例如，mg施肥或草皮组成）的报道。总的来说，结果表明英国农民意识到HypoMgT的风险。一个更加综合的土壤-饲料-动物评估可能会提高解决土壤退化问题的有效性，并有助于突出问题的根本原因。
Hypomagnesaemic tetany (HypoMgT) in ruminants is a physiological disorder caused by inadequate intake or impaired absorption of magnesium (Mg) in the gut. If it is not detected and treated in time, HypoMgT can cause the death of the affected animal. A semi-structured questionnaire survey was conducted from July 2016-2017 to assess farmers' awareness of HypoMgT in cattle and sheep in the UK. The questionnaire was distributed to farmers at farm business events and agricultural shows, and through a collaborative group of independent veterinary practices to their clients. Farmers were asked about (i) the incidence of presumed HypoMgT (PHT); (ii) their strategies to treat or prevent HypoMgT; (iii) mineral tests on animals, forage and soil, and (iv) farm enterprise type. A total of 285 responses were received from 82 cattle, 157 mixed cattle and sheep, and 46 sheep farmers, of whom 39% reported HypoMgT in their livestock, affecting 1-30 animals. Treatment and/or prevention against HypoMgT was reported by 96% respondents with PHT and 79% of those without. Mineral tests on animal, forage, and soil was conducted by 24%, 53%, and 66% of the respondents, respectively, regardless of PHT. There was a highly significant association between the use of interventions to tackle HypoMgT and the incidence of PHT (p < 0.01). The top three treatment/prevention strategies used were reported as being free access supplementation (149), in feed supplementation (59) and direct to animal treatments (drenches, boluses and injections) (45) although these did vary by farm type. Although some (9) reported using Mg-lime, no other pasture management interventions were reported (e.g., Mg-fertilisation or sward composition). Generally, the results indicate that UK farmers are aware of the risks of HypoMgT. A more integrated soil-forage-animal assessment may improve the effectiveness of tackling HypoMgT and help highlight the root causes of the problem.