[Enzootic calcinosis in 16 cows from 6 dairy farms in Unterengadin]

Enzootic calcinosis was diagnosed in 16 cows, which originated from 6 dairy farms located in the Unterengadin valley in Switzerland between 1,402 and 1,650 metres above sea level. During the winter, the cows were fed haylage, which contained up to 50 per cent golden oat-grass (Trisetum flavescens), and hay and grain. The first symptoms of enzootic calcinosis were noted in March 1998, when some of the cows developed locomotor abnormalities. Additional cases were diagnosed during the following three months. The most important clinical findings were decreased milk production, weight loss, frequent recumbency, difficulty in rising, kneeling while rising and feeding, stilted gait, arched back, shifting weight from one foot to another and reluctance to remain standing after being roused. Of the 16 cows, 5 had elevated concentrations of serum calcium and 10 had decreased concentrations of serum magnesium. All cows had normal or decreased concentrations of serum phosphorus, because the feeding of haylage containing golden oat-grass had been discontinued two months previously. In all of the cows, the most important postmortem findings were severe calcification of the aorta, iliac artery, brachiocephalic trunk and pulmonary artery.