Milk Fever

Milk Fever or Hypocalcaemia is literally low levels of calcium in the blood. 

5 -10% of cows get obvious clinical milk fever. However, it has been shown that 33 to 50% of cows are affected to a lesser degree.

Calcium in needed by all muscles to work- so the effects of low calcium on the diffecent muscles are:

• Leg muscles- a down cow- classic sign of proper “Milk Fever”
• Stomach & intestines. The digestive system has several layers of muscles to mix and move food. So any degree of low calcium reduces appetite and energy (and calcium!) supply too. Twisted stomachs (LDA) can also result.
•  “Calf-bed” problems range from a full prolapse to not cleansing (RFM) and whites (endometritis).
•  Teat-end- obviously a slack teat sphincter will allow bugs up the teat to cause potentially fatal coliform mastitis.

The problem is not one of low calcium in the animal (because the bones are full of the stuff!), but a problem with mobilising it from the bones and absorbing it from the gut. 

While the cow has been dry it's "forgotten" how to move calcium to the muscles. It is a complex nutritional problem with a few different approaches. the best way is to seek advice to coordinate diet and supplements.

The diet in the last 3 weeks of the dry period is very important. Excess Calcium, Sodium and Potassium are bad. Adequate magnesium (but not toomuch) is required.

Full blown down cows, with or without mastitis, prolapse or muscle damage , can lead to death, but much more commonly are the sub-clinical effects of low appetite, LDA, whites ETC.ETC.

Even in herds with low levels of milk fever, using Calcium Boluses increased general health and milk yield over the lactation.

Low Phosphorus is also involved and often gives "Creeping Cows"- cows that can get up at the front, but cannot get power into the hindlegs. Fosfor Boluses are a possible solution.

Every farm is different, so please give me a call to discuss. Here are some products that are successful when used in the correct way...