Johan Wessels, [6 Dec 2022] Colleagues. These photos of a sable bull that over a period of time changed to a greyish colour. On poor veld if I may say, but client says good grass cover. Also gets Molatek Game block and Trophy block, lucern and lucern cubes. Any suggestions....looks like a shortage to me? Henry Labuschagne, [06 Dec 2022 at 16:58:08]: Looks like a copper deficiency Johan Wessels, [06 Dec 2022 at 18:48:07]: Ja Henry...high on DD list. JW, do you think that one should suggest a trace element block, for instance the Flip Prinsloo (Pribio Animal Health, Kroonstad) chelated trace mineral block so that the animals can consume it according to their needs? Thank you Henry....the ideal situation would be to sacrifice one or 2 to do liver analysis!!! Jacoba Dongo, [06 Dec 2022 at 19:01:08]: AHL LabNote 19-Liver biopsy procedure in cattle | Animal Health Laboratory https://www.uoguelph.ca/ahl/ahl-labnote-19-liver-biopsy-procedure-cattle Johan. Could this be do-able and economic in the sable for copper determination? Johan Wessels, [06 Dec 2022 at 21:07:22]: Not a bad idea Jacoba...but probably not feasible in SA. Has anybody tried liver biopsies in larger antelope species? Local labs usually need +-5g liver tissue for a full trace mineral analysis. Thanks for the info. Jacoba Dongo, [07 Dec 2022 at 04:51:55]: Johan. Ask Shaun Morris or Willem Schultheiss about liver biopsies. Johan Wessels, [07 Dec 2022 at 07:09:09]: Jacoba, I have a liver biopsy needle, done several in my career but appears to be very painful to the patient...these days collect samples at the abattoir. But thanks anyway Henry Labuschagne, [07 Dec 2022 at 11:24:13]: Do serum copper level to get baseline value and see response to supplementation. If an animal dies, send liver for copper levels - there is no need to kill an animal to get a sample.
