Epidemiological, clinical, pathological aspects, diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of hypocalcemia in cattle: Review

Abstract

Hypocalcemia is a relatively common metabolic disease in dairy cows during the transition period, a time when profound hormonal, anatomical and physiological changes occur in the animal body in order to prepare the female for delivery and later milk production. This can occur in two ways: the subclinical form, when the serum calcium values are below 8.5 mg / dL and the clinical form when the calcium values are below 5.5 mg / dL. The damage caused to dairy cattle is considerable, especially in the subclinical form of occurrence, in which the absence of demonstration of clinical symptoms makes diagnosis difficult. The disease usually occurs around 24 to 48 hours after delivery, where there is a decrease in circulating serum calcium levels, since there is a great demand for colostrum production and delivery. The clinical diagnosis is based on the animal's history and clinical signs, and by measuring the mineral in the blood. Clinical therapy with calcium-based solutions shows good results in the field when the diagnosis is quick and accurate. However, it is noteworthy that prophylaxis is the best option, improved by good nutritional management in the dry and transitional period, by monitoring the ECC, using anionic diets concurrently with the monitoring of urinary pH acidification. In addition, it has been cited as an alternative for the prevention of hypocalcemia, the provision of drench for periparturient cows as one of the prophylaxis alternatives to the disease. This review aims to list the etiology, clinical symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis of hypocalcemia in dairy cattle.