Is there any evidence of a link between Johnes disease and trace element deficiencies, especially selenium?
Certain factors may speed up the onset of clinical Johne’s disease. These include an inadequate diet (the amount of food given and the nutritional quality of the food) as well as deficiencies in micro-nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Other infectious diseases, parasite burdens, parturition or peak lactation and following transport or introduction to new premises causing stress are thought to contribute. Immunosuppression, as a result of infection with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVD), may also trigger the clinical condition. However, it is also true that Johne’s disease reduces the ability of the intestinal tract to absorb nutrients and to cope with other problems, so it can be difficult to determine which came first – the “disease” or the apparent “trigger” factor. More research is required to determine the importance of these factors. However, as the health and nutritional status of any animal effects its immune system and susceptibility to disease, the best advice is to pay c
