MILK FEVER TREATMENT PROTOCOL

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A)  ANY FRESH COW THAT IS DOWN AND UNABLE TO RISE, SHOULD BE TREATED IMMEDIATELY WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS:

 

            1)  The preferred treatment is to give one bottle of calcium SLOWLY into the vein 

            and then give one tube of calcium by  mouth.

            2)  or Give 1 1/2 bottles of calcium iv and 1/2 sub q  (NOTE  only give 23%   

                    Calcium Borogluconate, (Calnate) under the skin.

            3)  If unable to give an iv can give one tube of calcium by mouth as long as cow

                  can sit up and swallow.   Or give one bottle of calcium under the skin,

                  divide into 4 different spots. 

 

            If the cow is still unable to stand 2 hours after a bottle or 4 hours after a tube then

             CALL THE VET.

 

B)  FRESH COW THAT IS SHOWING SIGNS OF MILK FEVER BUT NOT DOWN:

 

            1)  Give one tube of calcium by mouth or,

 

            2)  Give one bottle of calcium iv or subq

 

            if cow has not cleaned give 5 cc of oxytocin after the calcium is given.

 

Milk Fever (Post Partuitent Hypocalcemia)  is a when a cow who is recently fresh or about to calve develops low blood calcium. 

 Signs of milk fever include:

            cold ears and or skin                             dilated pupils   

            retained placenta                                   constipation     

            weakness                                             not eating

            sticking out tongue when withers is pinched

            uncoordinated gait                                unable to rise

 

any fresh cow that has calved 3 or more times that shows ANY of these signs needs to be treated immediately.  Notify appropriate person.  If no trained personnel is available it is usually safest and easiest to give a tube of calcium by mouth as long as the cow can swallow.  

 

Methods:

 

1)  To give an iv  (intravenous);  a:  always tie up the cow, if the cow is down it is best to secure her head with a halter or nose leads, and stretch the neck tight by  tying the rope to her back leg above the hock.  If the cow is standing and stable restrain her in a stantion or headlock, then stretch her neck by tying her head tightly to one side.  Put pressure on the jugular vein by the cows chest.  This will cause the vessel to swell up and make it easier to find.  Drive the needle into the vein and "seat it"  by threading it up or down the inside of the vessel in order to keep it in the vein.

 

2)  To give Calcium tubes by mouth:  Cow must still be able the swallow.  As long as cow can sit up they usually will have no problem swallowing the calcium paste.  Place the tube gently in the back of the cows mouth, and slowly push the contents of the tube out.  Hold her nose up to minimize the amount spit out.

 

3) To give a bottle by subq (subcutaneous) injection:  Pick up the loose skin in front or behind the shoulder.  Push the needle into the free space under the skin.  Divide the bottle into 4 spots infant of and behind the shoulder on both sides of the cow.   Never give a bottle of 50% dextrose, glucose, or CalMP 1000 under the skin.  These will cause abscesses.

Other considerations:  Before encouraging a down cow to stand be sure that the immediate area around the cow is dry and provides a non skid surface.  Remove all wet, slippery manure, fluids and cleanings.  Spread sand or calcite around the cow.  If  cow can not stand by herself roll over onto other side and try again in about 1/2 hr.

            If the cow still is not able to stand gently remove cow from the cement floor if necessary.  This is best done with a loader or sheet of plywood with a 2 x 4 attached to the front end to be used as a 'stone boat'.  Move the cow to a dry grassy spot, or a large 16' x16' box stall with 1' of sand, or a BEDDED pack. 

 

            No more than 3% of cows should have milk fever (down, unable to rise) and no more than5% should have signs of subclinical milk fever (see list above).  Milk fever is totally preventable through proper dry cow nutrition.  If rates of disease exceed the above standards immediately reformulate the close up dry cow ration.

          

Remember that we carry all health medicines and offer them to you at competitive prices.  Please purchase products through us to ensure quality and effectiveness.

Palmer Veterinary Clinic
6274 State Route 22
Plattsburgh, NY 12901

518-561-1893