My cow went down and could not stand a day after calving. Was told it is milk fever. How do I prevent and handle this?
How do I treat and prevent milk fever in a freshly calved cow?
BBaldev Singh5mo ago · 251 views
5 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓5mo ago
Milk fever is a sudden drop in blood calcium around calving, usually in high yielding cows, where the animal becomes weak, goes off feed, and may collapse and be unable to stand. This is an emergency, so call a veterinarian immediately, since treatment generally needs a calcium preparation given by the vet and the dose and route must be decided by them. Do not try to give calcium yourself without veterinary guidance, as wrong administration can be dangerous. To prevent it, manage the diet in the dry period as advised by your vet, avoid excess calcium just before calving, and ensure good feeding and body condition. Keep a close watch on heavy milkers in the first days after calving so you catch it early.
KKarnail Singh4mo ago
When mine went down I did not waste time and called the vet at once. He treated her and she was up within hours, but the speed mattered. With my heavy milkers I now watch them very closely for the first two or three days after calving.
PPargat Singh4mo ago
Catch it early. The first sign in my cow was not collapse but wobbliness and going off feed, with cold ears. Calling the vet at that stage instead of waiting probably saved her. Do not try home remedies for this one, it moves fast.
RResham Singh4mo ago
My vet adjusted the feeding in the dry period for my high yielders and I have had far fewer cases since. He explained that overfeeding certain things before calving raises the risk. Following his dry period diet advice is cheaper than the emergency calls.
JJarnail Singh3mo ago
It tends to repeat in the same cow at the next calving, so I warn the vet in advance for any cow that has had it before and he keeps a closer watch around her calving. Keep the number of a vet who will actually come quickly, because with this one the delay is what kills.