Certain pastoral regions of Australia have soil types that make it hard to fortify pastures with adequate levels of copper, selenium and cobalt. As such, many livestock managers choose to supplement their cattle with products such as Vetmec Multi Plus B12.
This article goes through each trace element and vitamin in Vetmec Multi Plus B12, including their function in the body, signs of deficiency and toxicity.
Should you have any questions about trace elements or vitamins, feel free to give the team a call on 1800 243 683, we’re always up for a chat.
Copper, Zinc, Selenium & Vitamin-B12
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Copper
Copper is vital for cattle. Copper is involved in iron transport and haem synthesis, and it is also a component of the enzyme linking disulphide bridges.
Overall functions of copper in cattle include:
- Iron metabolism
- Bone development
- Maintenance of elastic connective tissue
- Blood formation
- Disease resistance and immunity
- Reproduction and fertility
- Aids in preventing postpartum placental retention in cows
Copper deficiency is widespread in many areas of Australia. The most common causes of copper deficiency in livestock is because the soils are deficient in copper, or there are other minerals, such as calcium and molybdenum, that interact with copper uptake by grasses and crops. Deficient soils are often in high rainfall areas or coastal sandy soils where soil leaching, low organic matter and high pH are prominent concerns.
Signs of copper deficiency in cattle include:
- Rough coat
- Depigmentation (e.g., sandy coloured Herefords or bronze tinged angus)
- Poor growth and anaemia
- Diarrhoea
- Weak bones
- Enzootic ataxia, hind limb paresis or ‘swayback’
Copper toxicity is something to be careful of. While it is more prominent in sheep than cattle, there are cases in cattle. Copper toxicity occurs when copper stores in the liver get too high and end up damaging the liver cells its stored in. Signs of copper toxicity in livestock are typical of liver damage, including:
- Depression
- Colic
- Jaundice
- Reduced appetite
- Dark red urine
- In severe cases, death
Zinc
Zinc is important for many functions in cattle, especially anything to do with cell division. It is a component of carbonic anhydrase for acid/base homeostasis, as well as a component of thymidine kinase for DNA synthesis.
Overall functions of Zinc in cattle:
- Cell division
- Maintaining the integrity of skin and mucous membranes
- Maintaining the integrity of hair and hooves
- Wound healing
- Lung function
- Development of bone and cartilage
- Disease resistance and immunity
- Reproduction and fertility
- Spermatogenesis in bulls
- Aids in preventing postpartum placental retention in cows
- Udder function in cows
Zinc deficiency
As zinc is heavily involved in many growth functions in cattle, zinc deficiency will present itself as poor growth, bone abnormalities and anorexia. The skin is one of the most active organs for cell division, therefore signs of zinc deficiency may also include skin lesions and parakeratosis (skin thickening/flaky skin).
Zinc is a very safe trace element and the risk of ill-health from zinc toxicity is very low. However rare, excessive salivation may be observed in acute cases of supplement overdosing. In these cases, provide access to plenty of fresh feed and water.
Selenium
Selenium is another vital trace element that is inherently deficient in some areas of Australia. Selenium is a component of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) which is an antioxidant enzyme that prevents oxidative damage to cells.
Overall functions of selenium (and selenium containing enzymes) in cattle include:
- Preventing oxidative stress and oxidative damage
- Disease resistance and immunity
- Muscle function
- Reproduction and fertility
- Spermatogenesis in bulls
- Embryo survival
- Aids in preventing postpartum placental retention in cows
Selenium interacts synergistically with Vitamin E. Deficiency of either selenium or Vitamin E can be called ‘White Muscle Disease’, gaining its name from the look of the damaged muscle cells on post mortem.
Signs of selenium deficiency include:
- Stiff legged gait
- Myopathy/poor growth
- Brown urine due to the presence of myoglobin
- Sudden death
Overdosing with selenium supplements (singular or in combination) can lead to selenium toxicity. Most cases are acute and result in the death of the animal. Chronic cases of selenium toxicity (selenosis) are rare in Australia. Chronic selenosis cases occur when micro-doses of selenium are continually present in fodder. Over time, excess selenium takes the place of sulfur in important proteins, including keratin, which will lead to hair and hoof abnormalities.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalt)
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is one of the most important vitamins for livestock.
On a biological level, Vitamin B12 is a component of methylmalonyl coenzyme A mutase which facilitates propionate entry to the Krebs cycle for energy production. It is also a part of the methyl group transfer for the metabolism of folate, and involved in methionine metabolism.
As a result, overall functions of Vitamin B12 in cattle include:
- Energy metabolism
- DNA synthesis
- Red blood cell production
- Nervous system function
- Reproduction and fertility
Vitamin B12 has the trace element cobalt at the centre of its molecule, which is cobalt’s most essential function.
Vitamin B12 is not present in the diets of ruminants, however cobalt is. Once ingested, cobalt is used by used by rumen microbes to synthesise Vitamin B12 naturally. If the animal’s diet is deficient in cobalt, then the microbes won’t be able to make any Vitamin B12, leading to a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Deficiency may also arise from an interrupted absorption of available Vitamin B12 due to gastrointestinal parasite infections that impair the linings of the gut and small intestines. Just another reason why it’s important to control worms!
Signs of Vitamin B12/cobalt deficiency in cattle include:
- Poor appetite
- Poor body condition
- Anaemia
- Weeping eyes
- Scaly ears
- Decreased milk production
- Death (in severe and prolonged cases).
Treating a Vitamin B12 deficiency can be done by supplementing cattle either orally with cobalt or by injecting with Vitamin B12.
Cobalt can only be given orally via feed additives or oral drenches, as we need to feed the rumen microbes to make the Vitamin B12, which makes it a difficult option for cattle in terms of dose accuracy. The most effective way to correct a Vitamin B12 deficiency is by injecting the cattle with Vitamin B12 itself (cobalamin).
Vitamin B12 toxicity is almost impossible in cattle in Australia. It is worth noting that many injectable supplements of Vitamin B12 are combined with other trace elements or vaccinations, so following the recommended dose rate is always important.
Vetmec Multi Plus B12 Vitamin & Mineral Injection – Copper, Zinc, Selenium & Vitamin-B12
Vetmec Multi Plus B12 Injection was designed for the Australian cattle producer.
The fully patented product was designed for the Australian cattle producer by our very own, Dr Murray Grant, and treats or prevents the four major trace element deficiencies found in Australia.
It contains 40g/L of disodium zinc EDTA, 15g/L of disodium copper EDTA, 5g/L sodium selenate and 2g/L of cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12).
This revolutionary all-in-one trace element injection has the highest level of Vitamin B12 of any of the combination supplements presently available.
Providing trace elements in EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) form makes them highly bioavailable for the cattle, resulting in maximised uptake of what is administered. In other words, Vetmec Multi Plus B12 is making sure you get your ‘bang for your buck’!
The suggested supplementation program of Vetmec Multi Plus B12 is as follows:
- Bulls: 3 months before joining and at joining
- Cows: 4 weeks before joining and 4 weeks before calving
- Heifers: Every 3 months and 4 weeks before joining
- Calves: at marking and at weaning
- Additional: Every 2 months in wet conditions
The dose rate depends on the age of the cattle. Younger cattle require more trace elements as they grow their skeleton and muscle mass, so their dose rate is higher than adult cattle.
- Up to 1 Year Old: 1mL per 50kg
- 1-2 Years Old: 1mL per 75kg
- Over 2 Years Old: 1mL per 100kg
Many studies have shown the effectiveness of similar multi trace element and vitamin injectable formulations in increasing the fertility and productivity of herds in Australia and beyond.
Vetmec Multi Plus B12 will be available from late April 2026. If you would like to sign up to receive updates about the product, please submit the ‘Contact Form’, email admin@chemvet.com.au or give us a call on 1800 243 683.
Alternatively, if you have any questions about this article or other aspects of cattle health management, use the contact methods listed above!
References – Copper, Zinc, Selenium & Vitamin-B12
Vetmec Multi Plus B12 | Chemvet Australia
Animal Nutrition: From Theory to Practice by Philip I Hynd (2019)
Nutritional Myopathy | MLA Veterinary Handbook
Selenium Toxicosis in Animals | MSD Veterinary Manual