Malnutrition Species Cattle Goats SheepOther NamesWeight LossSyndromesIllthrift DescriptionMalnutrition occurs when the diet fails to provide adequate energy and protein to meet needs for growth and maintenance of body weight. It predisposes animals to other conditions such as plant poisonings in drought and pregnancy toxaemia. In some cases the diet may be adequate and other conditions may reduce appetite, interfere with normal digestion and absorption (parasitism), or increase metabolic rate and feed requirements (inflammation). Diets may also be deficient or unbalanced in particular elements such as energy, protein, minerals, or vitamins.Clinical Signs and DiagnosisGrowth or weight gain may be diminished, especially in young animals. Inappetence, weight loss, pale mucous membranes (indicating anaemia), and bottle jaw (due to fluid accumulation under the skin) may be observed. Diagnosis is generally by clinical examination and necropsy of affected animals to determine if underlying disease is present. Generally, fat depots will be reduced and wet or absent (serous atrophy), tissues will be pale (anaemia) and free fluid will be present in the abdomen (ascites), chest and heart sac (pericardium). Differential diagnoses include parasitism, infectious diseases such as pneumonia and Johne’s disease, chronic conditions causing organ dysfunction such as pyrrolizidine alkaloidosis and arthritis, and deficiencies of copper, selenium or cobalt. A full range of fresh and formalin fixed tissues plus faeces, serum and plasma may be needed for laboratory differentiation. TreatmentReview the composition of the diet and the animal’s ability to access sufficient feed. Make any necessary corrections. Treatment of chronic conditions is unlikely to be economically justified.PreventionPrevention of malnutrition requires provision of adequate dietary energy and protein and resolving any underlying health problems.