MILK FEVER - SEEKING NEW SOLUTIONS TO AN OLD PROBLEM

Hypocalcemia (milk fever) continues to be a common clinical entity in dairy cattle. Approximately 5% to 10% of adult dairy cattle are affect ed by the condition. Cows that are affected with milk fever are at a g reater risk of developing hypocalcemia at subsequent lactations than a re nonaffected cows. This article discusses the mechanisms that cause hypocalcemia as well as the three stages of clinical signs of the cond ition. The clinical pathologic findings and commonly used treatments a re considered. The major predisposing factor that leads to hypocalcemi a is the sudden increase in the demand for calcium that results from t he production of colostrum and milk in periparturient and postparturie nt cows. Orally administered calcium products that are now on the mark et can decrease the incidence of clinical milk fever relapse if they a re used as an adjunct to traditional intravenous calcium therapy. Thes e oral products have also be demonstrated to be effective as (1) a pro phylactic treatment to prevent clinical hypocalcemia in some situation s and (2) a treatment for mildly affected hypocalcemic cows.