1: MILK FEVER

(Syn. Parturient Paresis; Hypocalcaemia

Parturient paresis is an acute to peracute, afebrile, flaccid paralysis
of mature dairy cows that occurs most commonly at or soon after
parturition, characterized by changes in behaviour, generalized
paresis, and circulatory collapse.

ETIOLOGY
Dairy cows will secrete 20–30 g of calcium in the production of
colostrum and milk in the early stages of lactation. This secretion of
calcium causes serum calcium levels to decline from a normal of 8.5–
10 mg/dL to <7.5 mg/dL. The sudden decrease in serum calcium
levels causes hyperexcitability of the nervous system and reduced
strength of muscle contractions, resulting in both tetany and paresis.
 A contributing factor is a dietary imbalance of calcium and
magnesium, especially if excessive levels of potassium and
nitrogen are involved.

 Calcium blood levels are controlled by a small gland in the

neck called the parathyroid. The gland produces a hormone
that boosts blood calcium by various mechanisms, but
especially by resorbing it from bone.

 The gland needs good levels of magnesium to work

properly, so milk fever is sometimes also associated with
low magnesium intake.
 Associated with the onset of lactation.

 Usually occurs from 2 days before to 2 weeks

after calving although highest risk is within the
first 72 hours following parturition

 Susceptibility to milk fever can be inherited, tends

to affect high producing cows 5 to 9 years old.

 Over-conditioned animals fed a low fiber diet

with inadequate magnesium are most at risk
 Clinical Signs
1.Stage I
Weakness, hypersensitive and loss of appetite
2.Stage II
Lying on sternum/inco-ordination, depression,
small muscle tremors, low body temp/cold
extremities, muffled heart beat, bloat, dilated
pupils
3.Stage III
Lying on side and unable to rise, progresses to
lie on side, coma & death
 Complications
Rumen bloat.

Muscle damage or injury leading to:

 Downer cow syndrome.

 Prolapse of the uterus.
 Treat with Calcium gluconate IV (A general rule for dosing
is 1 g calcium/45 kg body wt. Most solutions are available in
single-dose, 500-mL bottles that contain 8–11 g of calcium).

 Hypocalcemic cows typically respond to IV calcium therapy

immediately

 In large, heavily lactating cows, a second bottle given SC

may be helpful, because it is thought to provide a prolonged
release of calcium into the circulation.

 Many solutions contain phosphorus and magnesium in

addition to calcium.
 Give mineral supplements; feed adequate magnesium
and, low calcium and potassium contents (preferably
maize, hay) beginning about two weeks prior to
parturition.

 Calcium should never be supplemented before calving

as this slows the response of the parathyroid gland.

 Vitamin D helps absorption of calcium from the gut

and helps prevent milk fever when given a week or so
before calving
 Give adequate mineral supplements (Calcium,
phosphorus, Vitamin D and magnesium) twice daily
to provide reservoir and increase blood calcium just at
the time it is needed for milk and colostrum.
Ca + Mg+ Ca+ alone
 2. DOWNER COW SYNDROME

 It is condition occurs in cattle usually following

hypocalcaemia parturient paresis.

 It is characterized clinically by prolonged recumbency

even after two successive treatments with calcium.

 P.M. reveals there are traumatic injuries to limbs muscles

and nerves, ischemic necrosis of the muscle limbs,
myocarditis, fatty infiltration and degeneration of the liver.
 Causes:
Definite cause is not clear. It may be:
Complication of hypocalcaemia cause traumatic injuries due
to spread laying of the hind legs during hypocalcaemia, if they
forced to get up or walk on slippery floor.

A difficult parturition due to oversize calf resulted in pelvic

oedema, injuries, and failure of cow to get up following
parturition.

The increase level of serum glutamic oxalacetic

transaminases (SGOT) indicates the increase muscle damage.
 Treatment
 Use of solution containing K, Ca, Mg, and P has been
recommended.

 On every day of the recumbency, an attempt should be

made to bring the cow to its feet.

 An attempt by slinging is of great help if the cow is

partially able to get up on her own.

 Provide with clean water, comfortable bedding and turn

the cow from side to side several times daily to minimize
the degree of ischemio-necrosis (due to obstruction of the
blood supply) and para-analgsia which results from
prolonged recumbency.
 Complications:
1.Coliform mastitis,
2.Decubitus ulceration, especially over the prominences of the
hock and elbow joint,
3.Traumatic injuries around the tuber coxae caused by the hip
slings.

Control
The detection of hypocalcaemia and their treatment reduce
the occurrence of the case.

If recumbency occur, treatment as soon as possible.

Avoid slippery ground surface.

Slinging technique
 3. Ketosis
 This can be confused with grass staggers or milk fever.

 It classically occurs 4 –10 weeks post calving and affects

high producing cows which calved in excellent condition.

 More commonly it is a secondary disease associated with

anything which suppresses appetite.

 Ketosis is an energy crisis where the dietary intake of

energy is insufficient for the proper breakdown of fat.
Instead the level of blood ketone by-products rises
accompanied by declining production and a rapid loss of
body condition.
 Cause
*Nutritional origin characterized by low blood
sugar

*Occurs when intake or the nutrition provided

doesn’t meet requirements of the animal
leading to animal to mobilizes its own fat
reserves
 Clinical Signs
Rapid weight loss, loss of appetite and sudden
declining production.

Acetone smell on breath

Strange behaviour e.g. licking or chewing

rails/trees or dirt.

In extreme cases, have nervous signs, especially

aggression (but still fully co-ordinated).
 Treatment
a)Intravenous glucose solution (dextrose) may help

b)Drench with 250 – 500 ml of propylene glycerine

and 250 ml molasses.

c)Inject with vitamins (B1/B12) withh aid recovery.

Do not exceed 8 L of glycerine in a treatment; it

may increases the severity and cow may mimics
symptoms of milk fever
 Prevention
Avoid excessively fat cows at calving

Increase concentrate levels gradually after calving

Avoid abrupt forage changes

Feed high quality hay

Maintain proper CP, Min/Vitamin levels

 4.Grass Tetany
 A metabolic disease resulting from low blood magnesium
commonly occurring in cattle & sheep grazing on lush
pastures.

 Hypomagnesia (low blood Mg), sometimes accompanied by

hypocalcemia.

 High levels of N and K combine to inhibit Mg absorption

Cause
Common in pastures (Immature grass - spring (within
first 2-3 weeks of grazing)
 Clinical Signs
a) Acute cases
 Caused by rapid drop in blood Mg levels
 Sudden deaths
 Drastic behavioral changes
 Run blindly, staggering, convulsions
b) Less acute cases
 Incoordination, loss of appetite, Muscle spasms
 Extreme salivation
 Death may occur 6-10 hours from first symptoms, if
left untreated
 Little chance of recovery if not treated before the
comatose state
 Treatment
 Call attention immediately since success is limited after 8-12
hrs.

 200cc of Mg Sulfate by Sc injection; 50cc/site; Increases

blood Mg levels in 15 min

 IV Mg/Ca solution must be administered slowly to prevent

heart failure

Prevention
 Supplement Mg daily (mineral licks) during high-
risk period