Milk fever

Milk fever, postparturient hypocalcemia, or parturient paresis is a disease, usually of dairy cows, characterized by reduced blood calcium levels (see: Hypocalcemia). It is most common in the first few days of lactation, when demand for calcium for milk production exceeds the body’s ability to mobilize calcium reserves. “Fever” is a misnomer, as body temperature during the disease is usually below normal. Low blood calcium levels interfere with muscle function throughout the body, causing general weakness, loss of appetite, and eventually heart failure.^[1] Hypocalcemia is more common in older animals (which have reduced ability to mobilize calcium from bone) and in certain breeds (such as Jersey cattle). Hypocalcemia, like milk fever, occurs occasionally at any time during the lactation or pregnancy and in many mammalian species.

Clinical signs

Mild form of milk fever, with the cow’s head in the normal position

Typical form of hypocalcemia, with the cow’s head in “self-auscultation”

Severe case, with lateral decubitus

In mild cases, the animal seems quite normal, but has difficulty standing. If the cow succeeds in rising, she staggers, and will very soon fall. The cow’s appetite can be maintained at that stage. Body temperatures are from 37 to 38.5 °C (normal range 38-38.5 °C).^[2] This stage, referred to as “first degree”, corresponds to calcemiae of 55 to 75 mg/l.

In typical cases, the cow’s head is in a so-called “self-auscultation” position. Mydriasis is often present. The heart can be slow or arrhythmic. The body temperature is 35 to 37 °C. In that stage, referred to as “second degree”, calcium levels in the blood are of 30 to 65 mg/l.

In advanced cases, the cow is lying on its side, seeming dead. The body temperature can go as low as 32 °C. This is the third degree, with calcemia as low as 20 mg/l.

Treatment

Treatment generally involves calcium injection by intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous routes. Before calcium injection was employed, treatment comprised inflation of the udder using a pneumatic pump. Inflation of the udder worked because the increased pressure created in the udder pushed the calcium in the udder back into the bloodstream of the cow.^[3]

Intravenous calcium, though indicated in many cases, is potentially fatal through “heart blockade”, or transient high calcium levels stopping the heart, so should be administered with care.

In unclear cases of downer cows, intravenous calcium injection can lead to diagnosis. The typical reaction will be a generalized tremor of the skeletal muscles, and sometimes cardiac arrhythmia. Defecation, urination and eructation are frequent during the treatment, due to pharmacological effect of calcium on the smooth muscles. In stages 1 and 2, the cow can stand up approximately 10 minutes after the end of the intravenous injection. But in stage 3, it may take two or three hours. If the cow is in stage 3 and lying on its side, it is important to put the cow in a sternal position or else risk aspiration.

The prognosis is generally good, even in advanced cases. However, some cows can relapse the following day, and even a third time the day after.^[2]

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  Hypothermia (normal is 38,0-39,5 °C)

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  Miction and defecation commonly occurring during calcium treatment

Prevention

Proper dietary management will prevent most cases of milk fever. This generally involves close attention to mineral and fiber levels in the diet prior to calving, as well as improving cow comfort to eliminate other problems that may interfere with appetite and so trigger hypocalcemia.

Oral administration of a dose of a calcium salt in a gel has been advised by some veterinarians.^[4]

References

External links

• Prevention of Milk Fever, University of Kentucky
• Parturient Paresis in Cows (Milk fever, Hypocalcemia), The Merck Veterinary Manual

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hypocalcemia in ruminants.