Changes

It is most common in '''high-producing dairy cows over the age of 5''', and also more common in '''Channel Island breeds'''.

It is most common in '''high-producing dairy cows over the age of 5''', and also more common in '''Channel Island breeds'''.

The disease can contribute to '''[[Dystocia - Cattle|dystocia]], [[Uterine Prolapse|uterine prolapse]], retained fetal membranes, [[metritis]], [[Abomasal Displacement|abomasal displacement]], and [[:Category:Mastitis|mastitis]]'''.

The disease can contribute to '''[[Dystocia - Cattle|dystocia]], [[Uterine Prolapse|uterine prolapse]], retained fetal membranes, metritis, [[Abomasal Displacement|abomasal displacement]], and [[:Category:Mastitis|mastitis]]'''.

===Clinical Signs===

===Clinical Signs===

'''Prophylactic treatment''' of susceptible cows is possible, using s/c or oral calcium supplementation.

'''Prophylactic treatment''' of susceptible cows is possible, using s/c or oral calcium supplementation.

'''DCAD (dietary cation-anion difference) diets''' are the new method of prevention. They involve decreasing the blood pH of cows in the late pre-partum and early post-partum periods by providing an excess of anions over cations. This is believed to enhance calcium absorption from the intestine and reabsorption from bone. This diet should only be fed to dry cows, and involves supplementation with anionic salts such as magnesium chloride, magnesium sulphate, calcium chloride, ammonium chloride. These salts are not palatable and reduce dry matter intake and can lead to a negative energy balance and '''problems''' such as [[Fatty Liver|fatty liver]]. DCAD diets must be '''used with great care''' and urine pH should be monitored closely.

'''DCAD (dietary cation-anion difference) diets''' are the new method of prevention. They involve decreasing the blood pH of cows in the late pre-partum and early post-partum periods by providing an excess of anions over cations. This is believed to enhance calcium absorption from the intestine and reabsorption from bone. This diet should only be fed to dry cows, and involves supplementation with anionic salts such as magnesium chloride, magnesium sulphate, calcium chloride, ammonium chloride. These salts are not palatable and reduce dry matter intake and can lead to a negative energy balance and '''problems''' such as [[Fatty Liver Syndrome|fatty liver]]. DCAD diets must be '''used with great care''' and urine pH should be monitored closely.

'''Other methods of prevention''' include:

'''Other methods of prevention''' include: