DETECT AND PREVENT MILK FEVER

Origin

Calcium deficiency : the calcium requirements for milk production are higher than the immediately available reserve calcium.

• MEDICAL EMERGENCY (possible death within 12/24 hours)

Animals at risk

Late gestation dairy cows, especially high producers and cows over 5 years of age.

Clinical signs

Prevention

• Bring calcium salts (oral or injectable) around calving.

     Oral: paste formulations are available to reduce the risk of false swallowing.

• Avoid excessively high body condition scores (BCS) at calving (>3).
• Limit the stress of future calves

Ref: D. FRANCOZ et al: Manual of Cattle Medicine, 2014

Ask you veterinarian for advice