Changes

Also known as: '''''Parturient Hypocalcaemia — Milk Fever — Puerperal Tetany — Lactation Tetany — Periparturient Hypocalcaemia — Eclampsia'''''

Also known as: '''''Parturient Hypocalcaemia — Milk Fever — Puerperal Tetany — Lactation Tetany — Periparturient Hypocalcaemia — Eclampsia'''''

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===

===Treatment===

===Treatment===

Treatment involves restoring serum calcium levels back to normal as soon as possible, to avoid complications such as nerve and muscle damage. '''Calcium borogluconate''' is given intravenously (i/v), and sometimes also '''suncutaneous (s/c)''' to provide a more sustained release. Many solutions also contain '''magnesium and phosphorus''', which can sometimes be helpful and is not contraindicated. Calcium solutions should be administered slowly over 10-20 minutes and the heart auscultated for [[:Category:Arrhythmia|arrhythmias]].

Treatment involves restoring serum calcium levels back to normal as soon as possible, to avoid complications such as nerve and muscle damage. '''Calcium borogluconate''' is given intravenously (i/v), and sometimes also '''subcutaneous (s/c)''' to provide a more sustained release. Many solutions also contain '''magnesium and phosphorus''', which can sometimes be helpful and is not contraindicated. Calcium solutions should be administered slowly over 10-20 minutes and the heart auscultated for [[:Category:Arrhythmia|arrhythmias]].

The animal will respond quickly to calcium supplementation, and '''eructation, defecation and urination''' should occur once the cow rises.

The animal will respond quickly to calcium supplementation, and '''eructation, defecation and urination''' should occur once the cow rises.

'''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:

For treatment of '''primary hypoparathyroidism''', vitamin D treatment has to be continued lifelong but oral calcium can usually be stopped.

For treatment of '''primary hypoparathyroidism''', vitamin D treatment has to be continued lifelong but oral calcium can usually be stopped.

==References==

==References==

{{review}}

{{review}}

[[Category:Blood Biochemistry Changes]]

[[Category:Blood Biochemistry Changes]]

[[Category:Expert Review]]

[[Category:Expert Review]]

[[Category:Parathyroid Glands - Pathology]]

[[Category:Parathyroid Glands - Pathology]]

[[Category:Vascular Fluid]]

[[Category:Vascular Fluid]]