Bovine Nutrition and Metabolism 5

Question 1

List two alternative names for milk fever

Answer 1

Hypocalcaemia
Parturient paresis

Question 2

Briefly describe the function of calcium in the cow.

Answer 2

Needed at the neuromuscular junction for the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine

Question 3

What is the target figure for cases of milk fever in a herd?

Answer 3

<5%

Question 4

tList two breeds that have a higher incidence of milk fever

Answer 4

Jersey and Holstein

Question 5

List three predisposing factors in the long term nutrition of cows for milk fever

Answer 5

Excess Ca in pre-calving diet
Chronic sub-clinical hypomagnesaemia
High dietary cation-anion difference

Question 6

List three short term factors predisposing cattle to milk fever

Answer 6

Excess feeding prior to calving
Oestrogen
Complete milking out after calving

Question 7

When do most cases of milk fever occur?

Answer 7

90% of cases occur 24 hours before to 48 hours after calving

Question 8

What are the main clinical signs of stage 2 and stage 3 milk fever?

Answer 8

Stage 2 - Sternal recumbency
Stage 3 - Lateral recumbency

Question 9

Which cows tend to respond less well to treatment of milk fever?

Answer 9

Very fat cows and/or those who have been down for more than 6 hours

Question 10

List 5 clinical signs in all milk fever cases

Answer 10

Depressed
Full udder
Pulse rate <100
Rectum full of firm faeces
Dilate pupils

Question 11

List 7 differential diagnoses of milk fever

Answer 11

Injuries
Mastitis/metritis/enteritis/peritonitis
Ruminal acidosis due to carbohydrate engorgement
Starvation/malnutrition
Hydroallantois
End stage toxaemia
BSE

Question 12

What is the best route of administration for calcium in cattle with milk fever?

Answer 12

Intravenous

Question 13

What percenatge of cows in stages 2-3 will rise in 30 mins after milk fever treatment and then after 2 hours?

Answer 13

60% with a further 15% after 2 hours

Question 14

What percenatge of cows with milk fever die?

Answer 14

15%

Question 15

How should you prevent relapses of milk fever?

Answer 15

Don’t milk fully for 24 hours minimum
Leave one calf on cow
Can bolus with Bovikalc
Encourage cow to eat

Question 16

List 5 complications with milk fever

Answer 16

Inhalational pneumonia
Muscle ischaemia and necrosis of the hamstring group
Superficial necorsis of skin over bony promineneces
Fractues/dislocations/muscle tears
Peroneal paralysis

Question 17

List 8 methods of the prevention of milk fever

Answer 17

Avoid heavy ‘steaming up’
Aim for low Ca diet pre-calving
Cow condition score - dry off at 2.5-3 and maintain until calving
High concentration Ca bolus such as Bovikaic
Magnesium supplementation
S.C Cas at calving
Manipulation of dietary cation anion difference
Vitamin D3 pre-calving injection (not available in the UK)