Milk fever
(HYPOCALCEMIA)

WHAT IS IT?

• Milk fever is also known as postparturient paresis
• It is a metabolic disease caused by low levels of circulating calcium in the bloodstream

Untitled Slide

WHO'S AT RISK

• Dairy cows
• Goats
• Jersey cows are more suceptable
• Sheep

WHAT CAUSES MILK FEVER?

• Before calving the cow will exert calcium into the mammary ducts
• Secrete 20-30 grams of calcium right before lactation
• This causes calcium levels in serum to drop dramatically

FACTS

• Parturient paresis occurs within 24-72 hrs of parturition
• Milk fever contributes to dystocia, uterine prolapse, retained fetal membranes, mastitis, metritis
• 3-10% of dairy cows are effected each year in dairy production
• 1:20 cows die
• Considered a herd problem if over 10-15% infected annual

CLINICAL SIGNS

• Muscle twitching
• Tachycardia
• S shape of neck
• Ataxia
• Head bobbing
• Shuffling of feet
• Bloat
• Constipation
• Recumbancy

MILK FEVER STAGES. STAGE 1

• Often goes unobserved
• Has short duration of

  ---

• Signs include loss of appetite, excitability, nervousness, hypersensitivity, weakness, weight shifting, shuffling of hind feet

STAGE 2

• Duration of 1-12hrs
• Cow turns its head into its flank, S shape
• Dull and listless
• Cold ears and dry nose
• Incoordination
• Muscle trembling and quivering
• Inactive digestive tract and constipation
• Temp 96-100
• HR exceeds 100bpm

STAGE 3

• Inability to stand
• Loss of consciousness which leads to a coma
• Heart sounds become inaudible
• Needs treatment ASAP!

FORMS OF MILK FEVER

• Typical
• Refractory or atypical
• Tremors or subacute

TYPICAL MILK FEVER

• Acute form
• Affects cow within a few days after parturition

REFRACTORY OR ATYPICAL MILK FEVER

• Acute form
• Little or no response from treatment
• Alert, eat, and milks
• Creeping downer cow
• Rupture of large muscles

TREMORS OR SUBACUTE

• Easily excited
• Muscle twitching and tremors
• Several cows are involved
• Late lactation
• Magnesium defiecency

Untitled Slide

DIAGNOSIS

• Determined by history of clinical signs
• Mineral tests

TREATMENT

• Replacement of normal serum calcium levels
• Calcium gluconate given IV
• SQ & IP Routes
• 1 g per 100#
• Single dose
• IO gel form

TREATMENT CONCERNS

• Dysrhythmias
• Bradycardia

PREVENTION

• Proper body scores
• Diet
• Calcium intake
• Magnesium levels

If you can improve body condition scores this will increase milk production and performance

Cows that are close to parturition should be kept close and easily observed

Untitled Slide