Early detection and effective treatment of milk fever in high-yield dairy cows

Abstract

Production diseases arise from management practices, leading to metabolic imbalances in high-yielding dairy cows. Milk fever, or parturient paresis, is a significant production ailment occurring during the periparturient phase. The heightened milk production during this period places an increased demand on calcium, often resulting in milk fever (hypocalcemia) characterized by abnormally low blood calcium levels. Clinical manifestations of milk fever include reduced appetite, tetanus, low body temperature, paresis, lateral recumbency, and, if untreated, progression to coma and death. Although sporadic, the incidence of milk fever can be high among susceptible cows on individual farms, particularly those with high milk production. Various factors contribute to increased milk fever incidence, including parturition, lactation initiation, advanced age, breed, and diet. Intravenous treatment with calcium borogluconate is the standard approach for parturient paresis. Early and proper treatment results in an excellent prognosis for affected cows. Economic losses due to milk fever encompass deaths, premature culling, treatment expenses, and reduced milk production in subsequent lactations. Consequently, effective milk fever management is crucial not only for mitigating production losses but also for preserving the well-being of the animals.