Metabolic disorders in cattle
- Clinical Signs of milk fever
Milk fever occurs in three stages:
Stage 1 (Early stage) – Excitement stage
Duration: short (often missed). clinical signs include:
- Restlessness
- Hypersensitivity
- Muscle tremors
- Ear twitching
- Mild weakness
Stage 2 (Sternal recumbency stage)
Is the most commonly observed stage. Clinical Signs:
- Sternal recumbency
- Depression
- Cold ears and muzzle
- Dilated pupils
- Reduced rumen motility
- Constipation
- Tachycardia (weak pulse)
- Body temperature may be normal or low
- Characteristic S-shaped neck
Figure (1): sternal recumbency in a cow with milk fever.
Stage 3 (Lateral recumbency stage - comatosed)
Severe stage (emergency): signs include:
- Lateral recumbency
- Severe depression
- Coma
- Bloat
- Severe hypothermia (cold ears and extremities)
- Weak heart sounds
- Death if untreated