Abstract:

Abstract: Literatures on epidemiology and clinical symptoms of nursing sickness in the farmed female mink (Mustela vison) were reviewed. Nursing sickness is the result of an unknown complex of female age, litter size, weight loss, body condition, reproductive performance, insulin resistance, nutritional, and stress factors. The underlying cause of nursing sickness may be the insulin resistance. It is recommended that mink breeder females be kept in moderate body condition during fall and winter. A dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and NaCl supplement during the lactation period may be benefit. Low protein, high carbohydrate diets are also helpful to prevent the development and help in the management of nursing sickness.