Hypomagnesemic tetany is common in young calves that are stall fed with poor quality hay during winters. In the video a calf is seen in opisthotonos position in advanced tetany due to low blood magnesium levels. The calf was administered a 10% solution of Magnesium Sulphate which led to its recovery.

Such symptoms are rare to be seen because animals usually die very quickly once the blood levels of Mg fall. The normal levels in calves are in the range of 2 to 2.5mg/100 ml of blood and signs of tetany start developing once the levels fall below 0.8mg/100ml. Recurrence is almost certain and the condition needs long term supplementation for its treatment. Low levels of Mg affect production of Parathyroid hormone too and usually hypocalcemia accompanies the condition.

This post comes after a long pause, mainly due to my preoccupation with work. I promise to post more frequently in the future.

I am sharing a video showing the extraction of a long needle which had caused swelling, pain and abscess in the sternal region of a cow.

The word Pashmina comes from Pashm the Persian word for Wool. Pashmina is the winter coat of this animal and is produced in these goats only when they are reared in that high altitude and low temperature region. The goat sheds between 85g to 225g of this under-coat every spring which is used to make fine hand woven shawls.

Quite in demand for its properties of warmt and feel, the pashmina wool contributes significantly to the rural economy of the Ladakh and Kashmir regions.