Paralysis in newborn ruminants is distressing and can threaten survival. While several conditions may cause weakness or inability to stand, nutritional deficiencies deserve serious attention. Healthy beginnings matter.

Poorly balanced diets during pregnancy can leave mothers and newborns deficient in essential minerals and nutrients, including calcium, phosphorus, selenium, and vitamin E. Balanced nutrition supports stronger offspring.

Providing appropriate mineral blocks and properly formulated supplements can help address nutritional gaps, but supplementation should match the animals’ actual needs and avoid dangerous excesses. Supplement wisely.

Pregnant animals require adequate energy, protein, minerals, vitamins, and clean water to support their own health and proper foetal development. Calcium supplementation may help when deficiency risk exists. Pregnancy demands careful feeding.

Farmers should never assume paralysis is caused only by nutrition. Prompt veterinary assessment is essential because infections, injuries, metabolic disorders, and other conditions can also cause weakness. Early diagnosis saves lives.

Best regards,

Abdullah Opeyemi Akande
B.Agric. (FUNAAB)
GAS (NIAS)
M.Sc. Animal Sci. (UI)
RAS (NIAS)
M.Sc. Int’l Business (UU, UK)
Ph.D. in view