GRASS TETANY Meaning and
Definition
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Grass tetany, also known as hypomagnesemia or grass staggers, is a metabolic disorder that primarily affects grazing animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats. It is caused by a severe deficiency of magnesium in the bloodstream, resulting in a range of neurological symptoms and potentially leading to death if not promptly treated.
The condition typically occurs when animals consume lush, rapidly-growing grass that is deficient in magnesium and other essential nutrients. Factors such as low soil magnesium levels, high potassium intake, high nitrogen fertilization, and certain weather conditions can contribute to the development of grass tetany. Additionally, lactating animals and those with a higher calcium intake are more susceptible to the disorder.
The signs of grass tetany often appear suddenly and can vary in severity. Affected animals may display symptoms such as muscle twitching, staggering, loss of coordination, excitability, nervousness, convulsions, and eventually coma. Without intervention, death can occur within a short period of time.
To prevent and treat grass tetany, it is crucial to provide animals with a balanced diet that includes sufficient magnesium and other essential minerals. Some prevention methods include using magnesium supplementation, providing alternative forages or feed supplements, limiting grazing time on pastures known to be low in magnesium, and ensuring proper soil management practices.
In conclusion, grass tetany is a potentially fatal metabolic disorder characterized by a deficiency of magnesium in grazing animals, leading to various neurological symptoms. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial to prevent and treat this condition effectively.
Common Misspellings for GRASS TETANY
- frass tetany
- vrass tetany
- brass tetany
- hrass tetany
- yrass tetany
- trass tetany
- geass tetany
- gdass tetany
- gfass tetany
- gtass tetany
- g5ass tetany
- g4ass tetany
- grzss tetany
- grsss tetany
- grwss tetany
- grqss tetany
- graas tetany
- grazs tetany
- graxs tetany
- grads tetany
Etymology of GRASS TETANY
The term "grass tetany" derives from the combination of two words: "grass" and "tetany".
- "Grass" refers to the vegetation mainly consumed by grazing animals, such as grasses, herbs, and other green plants. It originates from the Middle English word "gras", which can be traced back to the Old English word "græs" and the Proto-Germanic word "*grasam".
- "Tetany" is a medical term that describes a condition characterized by involuntary muscle contractions, stiffness, and cramps resulting from decreased levels of calcium in the blood. The word "tetany" comes from the French word "tétanie" and the Latin word "tetania", both of which have their origins in Greek. In Greek, "tetanos" means "tension" or "contracture".
