To obtain the maximum performance from farm animals and the highest production profit at minimum cost, industrial systems have been introduced into large scale farms, which often produce changes in the animals leading to clinically manifested disorders. These disorders result in considerable direct loss, and can substantially affect production, reproduction, the biological value of the products, as well as rendering the animals more susceptible to infective and infestive diseases. The biochemical and biological way of thinking is becoming an integrating factor in modern veterinary medicine. The development of clinical biochemistry and preventive medicine make it possible to focus attention not only on the clinically manifested diseases of the animals, but also on large animal populations in sub-clinical stages of metabolic disorders. The accurate interpretation of biochemical profiles needs a thorough understanding of physiology and pathological physiology. Moreover, simple, monoaetiological metabolic disorders (resulting from only one factor) occur rarely. Conversely, combined polyaetiological disorders are frequent and their incidence is increasing. This volume presents a review of these problems by experts in metabolic disorders. It aims to stimulate interest in the aetiology, pathogenesis and metabolism of disorders and to help agricultural production by giving advisory guide-lines.
