Copper deficiency in piglets characterized by spongy myelopathy and degenerative lesions in the great blood vessels.

Copper deficiency was diagnosed in piglets from a farm in the Transvaal. The mortality rate among 5 to 8-week-old piglets had been sporadic but considerably high over a 12 month period. Affected animals showed signs of ataxia, posterior paresis, horizontal nystagmus, inability to stand and front and hind limb paddling movements. Death ensued from 3-5 days after the onset of clinical signs. A paucity of myelin in the spinal cord and degenerative lesions involving elastic fibres of the aorta and pulmonary artery were detected. Tissue copper levels were low in both clinically affected and unaffected piglets on the farm, and the copper content of the diet fed to sows and growing piglets was considered inadequate. The lesions related to copper deficiency are described with emphasis on those in the spinal cord and great blood vessels, and the pathologic processes resulting in hypocupraemic lesions are considered.