Low blood calcium level is the cause of milk fever in older, high producing cows in good body condition. Milk fever usually occurs a few weeks after calving when cows are in oestrus. Around calving time, cows need to mobilise large amounts of calcium from body stores such as their bones. If this occurs too slowly the amount of calcium in the blood may fall below optimal levels resulting in milk fever.
Cows with milk fever need an injection of calcium preferably early in the course of the disease, however cows need to be watched after treatment because they can appear to recover and then have a relapse some time later.
Changing the cow’s diet during the transition period (from 4 weeks before calving until 4 weeks after calving) can reduce the occurrence of milk fever and other metabolic diseases, and optimise production and fertility.
Cows with milk fever need an injection of calcium preferably early in the course of the disease, however cows need to be watched after treatment because they can appear to recover and then have a relapse some time later.
Changing the cow’s diet during the transition period (from 4 weeks before calving until 4 weeks after calving) can reduce the occurrence of milk fever and other metabolic diseases, and optimise production and fertility.