A busy start for dairy farmers
At this exceptionally busy time of the year, it’s easy to miss early signs that a cow is struggling.
HERD HEALTH SERIES: Maura Langan, Commercial and Technical Manager (Large Animal) at Norbrook.
The first 24-72 hours after calving is crucial when managing metabolic diseases, especially milk fever. The demands of colostrum production and early lactation put a significant strain on freshly calved cows to maintain their blood calcium levels. Calcium is mobilised naturally by the cow from her bones, but this complex process takes time. If the cow fails to meet her calcium requirements, she will become hypocalcaemic and develop milk fever.
Although all early lactation cows are challenged to maintain their calcium levels, some will struggle more than others. Cows with a high body condition score (BCS), low BCS, older cows, high producing dairy cows, those with a history of milk fever and the Jersey breed are all predisposed to the condition.
At this exceptionally busy time of the year, it’s easy to miss early signs that a cow is struggling until she goes down. Clinical milk fever is a life-threatening condition that requires prompt veterinary treatment with intravenous calcium (Calciject40 +3) to deliver high levels of calcium (11.8g) quickly. Once a downer cow is back on her feet, she should always be given a follow-up oral calcium supplement. This is because the initial spike of calcium can cause the metabolic process to slow down or switch off, putting the cow at risk of relapse. This will provide additional calcium, allowing the cow a little extra time to start the process of mobilising her own supply and meeting her needs naturally.
Quality oral supplements will provide the right amount of additional calcium, allowing the cow a little extra time to start the process of mobilising her own supply and meeting her needs naturally. Administering calcium subcutaneously is unlikely to provide the levels required as absorption is often poor from peripheral sites.
Calcitrace D3 bolus contains 45g of calcium in both fast and slow-release forms to ensure that blood calcium levels start to improve shortly after administration, as well as helping to provide a sustained increase in calcium levels. As well as high levels of calcium, Calcitrace D3 also contains Vitamin D3. Vitamin D is required to stimulate calcium absorption from the intestine.
Cases of milk fever are often complicated by a phosphorus deficiency. Correcting the calcium levels usually results in the normalisation of phosphate levels, but many cows will benefit from additional phosphorus to reduce the risk of prolonged recovery from milk fever. Calcitrace P liquid contains very high levels of calcium (59g per bottle) and 45g of phosphorus. It can be given directly as a drink or added to feed or water.
Reducing the cases of clinical milk fever within the herd, is an important welfare metric. Research shows a cow that develops milk fever is eight times more likely to get mastitis in the subsequent lactation. There is also a significant link between milk fever and impaired reproductive performance, including increased calving intervals, dystocia, retained placenta and left displaced abomasum.
Farmers should be aware that for every clinical case of milk fever another 3-6 cows in the herd are likely to be suffering at a sub-clinical level. Those cows affected have an increased risk of ketosis, impaired immune function and reduced milk yield.
Cows at increased risk of milk fever should be identified prior to calving and a protocol devised to provide supplementary calcium at the time of calving, with a follow-up 12 hours later if necessary.
Routine calcium supplementation is a cost-effective way to reduce the cost and stress of milk fever and promote increased health within the herd for the rest of the lactation.
Visit www.norbrook.com for more information.
