Milk fever

milk fever

1. MILK FEVER (PARTURIENT
PARESIS, HYPOCALCAEMIA)
Dr. Fahad Riaz
CMS FVS

2. Introduction
•Local name: SOOTAK, SOOTAKI BUKHAAR , etc.
•Milk fever is a important metabolic disorder of
dairy animals. It is usually seen at calving and is
due to low calcium in blood (hypocalcaemia).
•Multiparous and high producing cows/buffaloes,
that are fed on lush green fodders (alfalfa)
before calving are more susceptible.
•The economic losses are due to its effects on
milk production following Milk-fever episode,
costs of prevention and treatment as well as
deaths of animals.

3. Etiology
Milk fever is caused by deficiency of calcium in the
blood. Many factors are associated in causing it
deficiency, some of them are;
•Calving History; it is important, milk fever
occurs within 1-3 days after calving, but it can
occur before calving as well. It is because the
growing calf and colostrum drain much of calcium
from the blood to cause its deficiency.
•High Milk Producers; are more susceptible
because the fall of blood calcium is greater than
its replacement from body.
•Breed Susceptibility; e.g. Jerseys cows are
more susceptible.

4. Etiology
•Age; cows at 5th or 6th calving are more
susceptible than 1
st
and 2
nd
calvers, because of
they loose ability to replace calcium quickly at
time of need (calving).
•Feeding Management ; feeding pregnant-cows
(last 2-3 weeks of pregnancy) is very important,
because it activates calcium regulation
mechanism (replacement of blood calcium from
storage at time of need).
•Dietary Calcium; if the calcium in diet is greater
than needed, then efficiency of absorbing calcium
from the storage will be slow, so, chances of milk
fever will be greater at parturition.

5. Etiology
•High Protein Feed; feeding high protein diet can
increase alkaline pH, which decreases calcium
absorption.
•Acidic Feed; feeding hay & grains prior to calving
can result in acidic pH which favors calcium
mobilization from bone and its absorption from
intestines. Both prevent milk fever.
•Body Condition; cows with good condition are at
greater risk of hypocalcaemia than thin cows. It is
due to more feed and calcium intake and more milk
production at calving, leading to its losses in blood.

6. Clinical Signs
In the typical Milk fever cases the signs are as
under;
•1
st
anorexia, restless, muscle shivering, followed
by general depression.
•Later, staggers, goes down in a "sitting position”,
often turning neck toward side in a lethargic and
drowsiness condition.
•The body temperature will decrease, body and
ear become cold, heart beats become weak and
respirations become slow.
•There will be constipation or absence of
defecation.
•Occasionally, bloat (due to recumbency) and
pneumonia.
•Lastly, the animal will lie flat on her side in a
coma state and may die (due to respiratory or
cardiac arrests).

7. A cow in early stage of milk fever

8. Cow with early Milk fever

9. Typical posture of Parturient paresis

10. Typical posture of milk fever in a
cow

11. Cow with advanced Milk
fever

12. Cow in advance stage of milk fever

13. A cow in advanced stage of milk
fever

14. Subclinical Hypocalcaemia
•Subclinical hypocalcaemia may develop
if minor degree of calcium deficiency.
•The classical signs of milk-fever may not
be seen but anorexia, constipation,
general depression and signs
reproductive disorders, such as dystocia,
retained placenta, uterine prolapse and
delayed return to estrus may be linked to
sub-clinical hypocalcaemia.

15. Retained placenta and uterine prolapse are
commonly seen in subclinical hypocalcaemia

16. Treatment
Treatment should be given as soon as possible, it may include;
•Calcium borogluconate, 40% solution, ( with magnesium,
phosphorus and dextrose) , @ 300-400 ml, IV route.
The treatment response is usually quick, animal gets up within 10-
20 minutes, defecates, urinates and may start regurgitation as well.
For prolongation in calcium treatment effect, about 150-200 ml of
Calcium borogluconate can be given by SC routes.
Cows that are "flat out" should be supported up in normal resting
position to relieve bloat.
In cold weather, the response of treatment is slow, protect then
with blankets or transfer the cow to shelter to prevent cold.
Recovered cows should not be milked completely for 24 hours, then
after, the amount of milk drawn should be gradually increased over
the next 2-3 days.

17. Calcium therapy is the best treatment for
milk fever

18. Calcium borogluconate preparations are used for
the treatment of milk fever

19. Incomplete milking for 2-3 days may be
good to prevent milk fever

20. Prevention
•Feed Management; pregnant cows should be kept
on a low calcium and low potassium diet, particularly
2-3 weeks before calving. This stimulates their calcium
regulatory system by mobilizing the body stores of
calcium (i.e. bones). When the demand for calcium
increases as calving, it can be mobilized much more
rapidly from bone, therefore preventing milk fever.
•Alfalfa and other green fodders should not be given at
close-up (2-3 weeks before parturition), as these
contain high protein, calcium and potassium contents,
particularly to multiparous, overweight (Jersey cows).

21. Prevention
•High Energy feed; to improve the body condition and future
milking production in pregnant cows, high energy (grain) feed with
low in calcium may be used.
•Pre and Post-calving Management ; cows close to calving
should be frequent observed for early detection of milk fever. After
calving, the quality feed and calcium supplements may be helpful.
•Vitamin-D; vitamin D-3 injection, 2-8 days before calving, will be
useful in prevention of milk fever. If calving is delayed then
injection can be repeated.
•Prophylaxis Calcium therapy; to prevent milk fever, IV injection
of Calcium borogluconate or PO calcium chloride paste, just before
or after calving may be given. The prophylaxis use of calcium is
quite successful because the calcium provides a reservoir to
increase blood calcium just at the time it is needed for milk and
colostrum.

22. Feeding hay and grains, at 2-3 weeks before
calving, is recommended to prevent milk fever