Response of Holstein cows with milk fever to first treatment using two calcium regimens: a retrospective clinical study.

Abstract

The responses of 64 Holstein cows with milk fever to first treatment with 500 ml of either of 2 intravenous calcium (Ca) solutions, one containing Ca alone (group A, n = 32) or 1 containing Ca, phosphate and magnesium (group B, n = 32), were evaluated by selected clinical signs and serum biochemical data. Based on the cow's ability to stand, treatment response was categorized into "immediate response" (stood after single treatment), "delayed response" (stood after repeated treatments) and "non-response" (slaughtered despite repeated treatments). No significant differences among the response categories were found between the two groups, suggesting that the solution containing Ca borogluconate alone was sufficient for the first treatment of milk fever.