What Vitamin Deficiency Do Calves Have?

October 11, 2025 •

5 min read

Statistics show that mineral and vitamin deficiencies can lead to significant health issues in newborn calves, with deficiencies often stemming from the dam's diet or inadequate colostrum intake. Understanding what vitamin deficiency do calves have is crucial for proactive calf management and preventing conditions that can compromise their growth and immunity.

Quick Summary

Calves commonly suffer from deficiencies in vitamins A, D, E, and B1. These deficiencies often result from inadequate maternal diet, poor colostrum, lack of sun exposure, or sudden feed changes.

Key Points

Vitamin A Deficiency (Hypovitaminosis A): This can result from poor maternal nutrition, especially during droughts, leading to night blindness, suppressed immunity, and weak or blind calves.
Vitamin E and Selenium Deficiency: A dual deficiency of these antioxidants causes White Muscle Disease (WMD), a myodegeneration affecting heart and skeletal muscles, resulting in stiffness, weakness, or sudden death.
Vitamin B1 Deficiency (Thiamine): Often triggered by abrupt diet changes (e.g., lush pasture), it leads to Polioencephalomalacia (PEM), a neurological disorder with symptoms like stargazing, blindness, and tremors.
Vitamin D Deficiency: Common in indoor-housed calves without sun exposure, this deficiency impairs calcium absorption and bone development, leading to rickets and a weakened immune system.
Maternal Diet is Key: A pregnant cow's diet is critical, as her vitamin status directly impacts the calf's reserves at birth and the quality of colostrum, which is the calf's primary source of initial immunity.
Prevention over Cure: Proactive management through balanced diets, controlled feed transitions, and appropriate supplementation for dams and calves is far more effective and economical than treating deficiencies.
Act Fast on Neurological Signs: Neurological symptoms like stargazing or tremors require immediate veterinary consultation and treatment with thiamine injections, as early intervention is vital for a positive outcome.

The Critical Role of Vitamins in Calf Development

For calves, a steady supply of essential vitamins is non-negotiable for proper growth, immune function, and development. Unlike mature ruminants, which can synthesize certain B vitamins in their functional rumen, newborn and pre-ruminant calves are entirely dependent on their mother's milk and feed sources. Any disruption in this delicate nutritional supply chain can lead to specific deficiencies, resulting in a cascade of health problems. The most common issues arise from deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, and E) and the water-soluble vitamin B1 (thiamine). These deficiencies can manifest in a variety of ways, from stunted growth and poor immune response to severe neurological and muscular disorders.

Common Vitamin Deficiencies in Calves

Vitamin A Deficiency (Hypovitaminosis A)

Vitamin A is vital for vision, epithelial tissue maintenance, bone development, and a robust immune system.

Causes: A calf's Vitamin A status is directly linked to the dam's diet and her liver stores. Inadequate levels are common during droughts when cattle graze on dry, low-carotene forages or when fed hay that has lost its potency in storage. Since very little vitamin A is transferred across the placenta, newborns depend heavily on colostrum for their initial dose.
Symptoms: Early signs in calves include a rough hair coat, reduced appetite, and slow growth. Severe deficiency can lead to night blindness, diarrhea, and a suppressed immune system, making them more susceptible to respiratory diseases like pneumonia. In extreme cases, calves may be born weak, blind, or stillborn.

Vitamin E and Selenium Deficiency

Vitamin E and the mineral selenium work together as antioxidants to protect cell membranes from damage. A deficiency in one or both can lead to a condition known as White Muscle Disease (WMD) or nutritional myodegeneration.

Causes: WMD is particularly prevalent in areas with selenium-deficient soils, where local forages and grains provide insufficient amounts. Poorly stored hay, which degrades vitamin E content, is another contributing factor. A dam's low intake during gestation can lead to congenital WMD in newborns.
Symptoms: The congenital form affects the heart muscle, often causing sudden death in calves within days of birth. A delayed form affects skeletal muscles, presenting as stiffness, weakness, and an arched back, especially after vigorous exercise. Calves with tongue muscle damage may struggle to nurse properly.

Vitamin D Deficiency

This vitamin is crucial for calcium and phosphorus absorption, which are essential for bone development.

Causes: Calves housed indoors without access to direct sunlight are at the highest risk, as UV rays convert a precursor in their skin into vitamin D3. Inadequate levels can also be passed from the dam during gestation and via colostrum.
Symptoms: Deficiency can lead to rickets, characterized by weakened bones, poor growth, stiff joints, and a stiff gait. It can also compromise the immune system, increasing susceptibility to illness.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Deficiency

Thiamine is a coenzyme critical for carbohydrate metabolism and energy supply, especially to the brain.

Causes: In older calves (6-12 months) with developing rumens, a sudden dietary change, such as moving from dry forage to lush pasture or a high-grain diet, can disrupt rumen bacteria. This change can increase bacteria that produce thiaminases, enzymes that destroy thiamine. Excess sulfur in the diet or water is another risk factor.
Symptoms: The deficiency causes Polioencephalomalacia (PEM), leading to neurological signs. Initial symptoms include reduced appetite and separation from the herd. As it progresses, calves may show disorientation, staggering, apparent blindness, head pressing, and the characteristic "stargazing" posture.

Comparing Common Calf Vitamin Deficiencies


Deficiency	Primary Cause(s)	Key Clinical Signs	Affected Calves (Age)
Vitamin A	Drought conditions, poor quality hay, inadequate maternal intake, low colostrum.	Night blindness, rough coat, poor growth, diarrhea, weak immune system.	Newborn calves; any age during feed shortages.
Vitamin E & Selenium	Low selenium in soil, poor quality forage, inadequate maternal intake.	White Muscle Disease (stiffness, weakness), sudden death from heart failure.	Newborn (congenital); 1–4 months old (delayed).
Vitamin D	Insufficient sunlight exposure, indoor housing, low maternal status.	Rickets (soft bones), stiff gait, poor growth, weakened immunity.	Young, growing calves housed indoors.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)	Sudden dietary changes (e.g., lush pasture), high grain diet, high sulfur intake.	Polioencephalomalacia (neurological signs like stargazing, blindness, tremors).	6–12 months old (weaned calves with functional rumens).

Strategies for Preventing Calf Vitamin Deficiencies

Prevention is the most effective approach to managing these deficiencies. Proactive measures focus on the health of both the dam and the calf.

Maternal Supplementation: Ensure pregnant cows receive a balanced diet and adequate vitamin supplementation, particularly in the last trimester. Injectable vitamins can be used four weeks pre-calving in herds with a history of deficiencies.
Proper Colostrum Management: Since newborns have low vitamin stores at birth and rely on colostrum, ensuring timely and sufficient intake of high-quality colostrum is paramount.
High-Quality Forage: Provide calves and their dams with high-quality, green, leafy forages, and ensure hay is properly cured and stored to preserve vitamin content.
Controlled Diet Changes: When transitioning calves, especially around weaning (6-12 months), from one forage type to another, do so gradually. Avoid sudden moves to lush, fermentable pasture or high-concentrate feeds.
Sunshine Exposure: Allow calves access to direct sunlight to enable natural vitamin D synthesis. For indoor-housed calves, a reliable supplement is necessary.
Targeted Supplementation: In areas with known soil deficiencies (e.g., low selenium), or during stressful periods like weaning, specific vitamin or mineral supplements may be needed. Injectable products can provide a rapid boost when necessary.

Recognizing and Treating Deficiencies

Prompt action is crucial for treating vitamin deficiencies, especially those that cause severe neurological or muscular issues. If a deficiency is suspected, a veterinarian should be contacted immediately for an accurate diagnosis, which may involve blood or tissue testing.

Observe Diligently: Regularly monitor calves for signs such as weakness, stiffness, uncoordinated movement, night blindness, diarrhea, or a rough coat. Early detection greatly improves treatment outcomes.
Administer Injections: For severe, acute deficiencies like WMD or PEM, injectable vitamin preparations (e.g., vitamin B1 for PEM, vitamin E and selenium for WMD) provide the fastest route of delivery.
Correct the Diet: Alongside immediate treatment, the underlying dietary cause must be addressed. This includes adjusting rations, supplementing feed, or re-evaluating the mineral program.
Supportive Care: In cases of PEM, supportive care is vital. Keep affected calves calm, prevent self-injury, and provide fluids if they are unable to drink.
Diagnostic Testing: After a loss, a postmortem examination and liver tissue analysis can confirm a deficiency and guide future preventive strategies for the rest of the herd.

For more detailed information on specific neurological conditions like Polioencephalomalacia, refer to the MSD Veterinary Manual.

Conclusion

Calves are susceptible to several vitamin deficiencies, with Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B1 being among the most significant. The consequences can range from slowed growth and poor health to neurological damage and sudden death. By ensuring proper maternal nutrition, managing colostrum intake, and providing a balanced, consistent diet, producers can proactively safeguard calf health. Vigilant observation and quick veterinary intervention are essential for treating affected calves and preventing further losses in the herd. A comprehensive nutritional strategy is the best defense against these preventable diseases, ensuring calves reach their full potential for growth and productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common deficiencies in calves involve vitamins A, D, E, and B1 (thiamine). These often stem from inadequate maternal nutrition, poor colostrum quality, lack of sunlight, or disruptions in rumen function.

White Muscle Disease (WMD) is a condition caused by a deficiency of selenium and/or vitamin E. It results in the degeneration of heart and skeletal muscles, leading to stiffness, weakness, and potential sudden death, especially in rapidly growing calves.

PEM is a neurological disease caused by a vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency. In weaned calves, it can be triggered by sudden dietary changes that disrupt the rumen's microbial balance, such as moving from dry hay to lush pasture or feeding high-concentrate rations.

A calf receives its initial, crucial dose of vitamin A through colostrum from the mother, as placental transfer is marginal. The cow's own vitamin A status is built up by converting beta-carotene from green forages in her diet.

Prevention starts with ensuring the dam receives a well-balanced, high-quality diet during pregnancy. After birth, providing a sufficient quantity of quality colostrum is critical. Injectable supplements can be used as a targeted preventative measure.

Calves deficient in vitamin D may exhibit signs of rickets, including impaired growth, stiff joints, a rigid gait, and potential bone deformities. They may also have a weakened immune system and be more prone to illness.

Common symptoms include night blindness, a rough hair coat, diarrhea, and reduced growth. Severe cases can involve swelling (edema), convulsions, and a higher risk of pneumonia and other infections due to a compromised immune system.

Yes, a dam's vitamin status is directly transferred to the calf via colostrum, and inadequate intake during gestation can result in the calf being born with low vitamin reserves, predisposing it to problems like White Muscle Disease or Hypovitaminosis A.