Hypocalcemia - “Milk Fever”

21.2.1 Hypocalcemia - “Milk Fever”

Hypocalcemia occurs just prior to, or after delivery, particularly in high producing dairy cows, buffalo, goats, and sheep. When a large amount of calcium is mobilized to produce milk, the levels of calcium in the blood may drop too low, which makes the muscles and heart weak. Normally the body stores about 90% of its calcium in the bone but it cannot release the calcium quickly when milk production first starts. Milk fever can rapidly result in death if not treated quickly.

Symptoms:

 weak and sometimes unable to stand.

 body temperature lower than normal.

 constipation (sometimes).

 bloat due to inability to burp properly (sometimes).

Diagnosis:

 From the history and symptoms.

Treatment:

 If very serious and near death, give IV calcium gluconate (i.e. a solution especially made for this problem), according to instructions on the bottle.

 If less serious (still standing but weak), then give calcium gluconate subcutaneously in 3 or 4 places where the skin is loose (neck, behind front leg, etc.). Give the amount listed on the bottle directions.

 Milk the cow a little, but not completely, until it is recovered from Milk Fever.

Warning: Give IV calcium slowly. Monitor the heartbeat as you give the calcium. If the heart starts beating irregularly, then immediately stop giving the calcium. When the heart beats normally, begin giving the calcium again, but very slowly while monitoring the heart beats.

Prevention:

 During the last part of the gestation period, do not give feeds containing high levels of calcium (like lucerne or alfalfa hay).