MILK FEVER

  • Synonyms: ParturientParesis, Parturient Apoplex, Calving Paralysis, Hypocalcaemia
  • High yielding cows(Jersey) 3rd to 7th lactation mostly affected.
  • Occurs during the periparturient period.
  • Caused due to ↓ serum calcium.
  • Characterized by weakness, recumbency, and ultimately shock and death.

Etiology

  • Total plasma calcium <5.2mg/ dl
  • Low level of ionised Ca in tissue fluid and serum.
  • Inadequate mobilization of Ca from bone.
  • Decreased conc. of 1,25 (OH)2 Cholecalciferol
  • Decreased PTH secretion.
  • A cow producing 10 kg of colostrum (2.3 g of Cal/kg) will lose 23 g of calcium in a single milking i.e sudden drainage.

Time of occurrence

  • Prepartum , few days before parturition.
  • Within 48 hrs to 10th day of postpartum
  • Rarely, several weeks pre partum and 6-8 weeks post-partum.

Stressors

  • Starvation for 48 h.
  • During the winter months when they are fed on poor-quality roughage.
  • Fatigue, excitement, increased blood estrogen level.
  • V Administration of aminoglycosides,neomycin, dehydro-streptomycin and gentamicin during. parturation, reduces ionised serum calcium level.
  • Subclinical hypocalcemia causing reduced apetite.

Risk factors of cow

  • Increase in age

Host factor

  • High Body Condition Score increases the risk of milk fever.
  • Decreased plasma level of 1,25 (OH)2 D3 with increased age
  • Decreased receptor for 1,25(OH)2 D3 in intestine.
  • Decreased Osteoblast cells

Dietary factor

  • Feeding more than 100 g or more of calcium daily during the dry period.
  • This suppresses active transport of calcium from diet and bone calcium reabsorption.
  • High dietary P (> 80 g/day) - ↓ed renal enzyme catalysing production of 1,25 (OH)2D3.
  • Decrease level of Mg causes –
    • Inhibition of release of PTH
    • Inhibition of 25 hydroxychole-calciferol in liver.
    • Organ/tissue insensitive to the action of PTH and 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol

Treatment

  • Calcium borogluconate IV (500 to 1000ml containing, 100-200 g Ca at 20-30% soln I/V.
  • S/C or I/P route in toxemic condition
  • Prevention of relapse by additional Ca solution through S/C or I/P.
  • P and Mg parenterally
  • InjVit D3
  • Butaphosphan, Vit E, Selenium
  • Oral Ca, Parenteral dextrose/ fructose
  • Anabolic Steroids

Prevention of Milk Fever

  • Low dietary Ca 2 wks prior to parturition.
  • Oral dosing of 20 Million units of Vit D2 daily for 5 days
  • 100-150g Ca 3 doses 24 hr and 2 hr before and 10-12 hr after calving
  • Vit-D3 @ 10 million units I/M 8 days prior to calving
  • Cholecalciferol - I/M 2 wk prior to parturition
  • Udder inflation, incomplete milking
  • Feed rations with a high P to low Ca ratio during late pregnancy