Copper is essential for the activity of certain enzymes and, along with iron, is necessary for the synthesis of haemoglobin, a component of various body pigments, involved in the central nervous system, bone metabolism and heart function. Copper is important for prostaglandins formation. It plays a role in energy transfer in the cell and is also involved in protecting the body from oxidation. Copper being a component of enzymes like superoxide dismutase, lysyl oxidase and thiol oxidase, function to eliminate free radicals that increase tissue susceptibility to bacterial infections, increase structural strength and elasticity of connective tissues and blood vessels and increase strength of horn, minimizing lameness.

Symptoms of insufficient copper supply include anaemia, retarded growth rate and milk yield, diarrhoea, de-pigmentation of hair and swelling of the leg bones above the pasterns. Young animals are more likely to be affected than mature animals. Lack of copper suppresses the activity of cellular defense systems, and results in an increased susceptibility to parasitism and disease. Deficiency causes early embryonic deaths, resorption of the embryo, increased retained placentas and necrosis of placenta.

True copper deficiency is very rare.

Thiomolybdate induces these symptoms by reducing copper levels in the rumen and deactivating enzymes within the body. Without tackling the effects of sulphur, iron and molybdenum, just increasing copper supplementation will not cure the problems and may actually cause poisoning.

All Telsol's glass boluses contain copper, cobalt and selenium with either iodine or zinc.
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