Metabolic disorders in cattle

Milk fever is considered as a medical emergency.

Primary treatment:

IV Calcium therapy: Calcium borogluconate - or Cal-D-Mag (25%)

• 500 ml slowly IV
• Given over 10–20 minutes

Response:

• Improvement within minutes
• Eructation
• Urination
• Standing within 1–2 hours
• If no response, repeat ca therapy after 12 hrs.

Additional therapy:

• Subcutaneous calcium (to prevent relapse)
• Oral calcium gels
• Phosphorus supplementation if needed
• Magnesium if hypomagnesemia is suspected

Important precautions for calcium therapy in cattle:

• Give slowly (risk of cardiac arrhythmia)
• Monitor heart during IV infusion
• Stop if arrhythmia occurs