Milk Fever

Definition and Etiology

Milk fever – also known as parturient paresis, hypocalcaemia, paresis puerperalis, parturient apoplexy – is a condition of adult dairy animals wherein severe deficiency of calcium (acute hypocalcaemia) causes acute to per acute, afebrile, f flaccid paralysis most commonly at or just after parturition. Dairy animals are at considerable risk for hypocalcaemia at the onset of lactation caused by an imbalance where calcium output in colostrum exceeds calcium influx from the intestine and bone into the extracellular pool.

Predisposing Factors

Dietary deficiency of calcium. Clinical Signs T hree stages of milk fever include: Stage-1 – a brief stage of excitement and tetany with hypersensitivity and muscle tremor of the head and limbs, the animal does not eat and is reluctant to move, there may be a slight shaking of the head, protrusion of the tongue, and grinding of the teeth, and the rectal temperature is usually normal to slightly above normal; Stage-2 – a prolonged sternal recumbency with a lateral kink in the neck or the head turned into the flank; the muzzle is dry, the skin and extremities are cool, rectal temperature is subnormal, there is a marked decrease in the absolute intensity of the heart sounds and an increase in rate (about 80 bpm), and the ruminal stasis, secondary bloat and constipation are common; Stage-3 – lateral recumbency, animal is almost comatose, the limbs may be stuck out with complete flaccidity on passive movement and cannot assume sternal recumbency on its own.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on history and clinical signs. Confirmation of hypocalcaemia is through the response to treatment with calcium borogluconate. Total serum calcium levels are reduced to below 5 mg/dl; and in severe cases as low as 2 mg/dl.

Differential Diagnosis

Hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesaemia, downer cow syndrome, fat cow syndrome, carbohydrate engorgement, per acute coliform mastitis, aspiration pneumonia, acute diffuse peritonitis, maternal obstetrical paralysis, dislocation of coxofemoral joint. Treatment Treat with calcium borogluconate (23 percent solution, 400-800 mL, slow IV in large animals and 50-100 ml in small animals) or calcium magnesium borogluconate (1.86 percent calcium borogluconate, 5 percent magnesium hypophosphite and 20 percent dextrose anhydrous, 450-800 ml, slow IV in large animals and 50-100 ml in small animals), depending upon the severity of the condition. Repeat the treatment after 10-12 hours, if needed. The heart should be auscultated throughout the administration for the evidence of gross arrhythmia, bradycardia, and tachycardia. If any of this condition occurs, the intravenous administration should be interrupted and continued only after the heart sounds return to normal and use a course of antihistaminic drug (pheniramine maleate @ 1-2 mg/kg, IM).

Prevention and control

Dietary management during the transition period (before and after calving). Administer calcium gels orally at the time of parturition and vitamin D immediately before parturition to enhance the mobilization of calcium. Feeding a prepartum diet with a DCAD (dietary cation-anion difference) between 50 and 150 meq/kg of diet dry matter is generally optimal for the prevention of parturient paresis. Supplementing anionic salts such as calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium sulphate, and magnesium sulphate before calving twice weekly during prepartum period. Sample collection for Diagnosis Blood.

Source: STANDARD VETERINARY TREATMENT GUIDELINES FOR LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY

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