What are the main causes of milk fever in dairy cows. How can farmers recognize the symptoms of milk fever. What are effective prevention strategies for milk fever in high-yielding cows. How does calcium deficiency impact cow health and milk production. Why is proper nutrition crucial during the dry period for preventing milk fever.

Understanding Milk Fever: A Calcium Deficiency Challenge in Dairy Cows

Milk fever, also known as hypocalcemia, is a metabolic disorder that primarily affects dairy cows around the time of calving. This condition is characterized by an insufficient amount of calcium in the blood, which can lead to severe health complications and even death if left untreated. High-yielding dairy cows are particularly susceptible to milk fever due to the sudden and significant increase in calcium demand for milk production.

Why is calcium so crucial for dairy cows?

Calcium plays a vital role in several bodily functions of dairy cows:

• It is essential for proper nervous system function
• Calcium is crucial for muscle cell health and contraction
• It supports overall skeletal strength
• Calcium is a key component in milk production

When calcium levels in the blood drop too low, cows may experience difficulty moving or standing up, as their muscles cannot contract properly. This can lead to a cascade of health issues and significant production losses.

The Three Stages of Milk Fever: Recognizing the Progression

Milk fever typically progresses through three distinct stages, each with its own set of symptoms. Understanding these stages is crucial for early detection and prompt treatment.

Stage One: Early Warning Signs

The initial phase of milk fever may be subtle and easily overlooked. Symptoms include:

• Muscle tremors
• Restlessness
• Stiff gait
• Slightly elevated body temperature

At this stage, intervention can prevent the condition from progressing to more severe symptoms.

Stage Two: Visible Distress

As milk fever advances, more pronounced symptoms appear:

• The cow lies on her stomach with an extended neck or head resting on her flank
• Early signs of paralysis become evident
• Rapid, shallow pulse
• Cold body surface
• Dilated pupils
• Bloating or flatulence

Immediate veterinary attention is crucial at this stage to prevent further deterioration.

Stage Three: Critical Condition

The final stage of milk fever is life-threatening:

• The cow lies on her side, unable to move
• Loss of consciousness
• Coma

Without prompt and aggressive treatment, stage three milk fever often leads to death, with mortality rates averaging 2-5%.

The Hidden Dangers of Subclinical Hypocalcemia

While severe cases of milk fever are easily recognizable, the consequences of mild calcium deficiency, often referred to as subclinical hypocalcemia, are frequently underestimated. This condition can lead to:

• Reduced feed intake
• Increased negative energy and protein balance
• Decreased mobility
• Higher risk of secondary health issues such as mastitis and gastrointestinal problems

These subtle effects can significantly impact a cow’s overall health and productivity, even without progressing to full-blown milk fever.

Calcium Metabolism in Dairy Cows: A Delicate Balance

Understanding the calcium metabolism in dairy cows is key to preventing milk fever. During the dry period, a cow’s calcium needs are relatively low. However, at the onset of lactation, the demand for calcium nearly doubles, primarily due to colostrum production, which requires approximately 2.3 grams of calcium per liter.

Cows typically obtain calcium from two primary sources:

1. Dietary intake
2. Bone mobilization

In older cows, the mechanism for mobilizing calcium from bones may not activate quickly enough to meet the sudden increase in demand, leading to a calcium deficit in the bloodstream.

Why are older cows more susceptible to milk fever?

Older cows, particularly those in their second or third lactation, are at higher risk of developing milk fever for several reasons:

• Decreased efficiency in calcium absorption from the digestive tract
• Reduced ability to quickly mobilize calcium from bone reserves
• Higher milk production, increasing calcium demand
• Potential accumulated stress on the calcium regulatory system from previous lactations

These factors combine to make older, high-producing cows more vulnerable to hypocalcemia around calving time.

Preventive Strategies: Safeguarding Against Milk Fever

Given the high incidence of hypocalcemia in dairy herds, with up to 50% of second- or third-lactation cows potentially affected, implementing effective prevention strategies is crucial. The goal is to support cows during the critical period around calving, enabling them to either quickly release calcium from bone reserves or providing easily metabolized calcium supplements.

Nutritional Management During the Dry Period

Proper nutrition during the dry period is fundamental in preventing milk fever:

• Avoid energy and protein oversupply
• Reduce dietary calcium intake 3-4 weeks before calving to stimulate the body’s calcium regulatory mechanisms
• Consider vitamin D3 supplementation towards the end of pregnancy to enhance calcium metabolism

These dietary adjustments help prepare the cow’s body for the upcoming calcium demand surge at the onset of lactation.

Oral Calcium Supplementation

Administering oral calcium supplements around calving is a widely adopted practice. When using this method, consider the following factors:

• Ensure each dose provides sufficient calcium
• Choose supplements that offer immediate calcium availability
• Select administration methods that are practical for both the animals and farm staff

Common forms of oral calcium supplements include pastes, gels, and liquids, each with its own advantages and challenges in administration.

The Role of Vitamin D in Calcium Metabolism

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in calcium metabolism for dairy cows. It enhances calcium absorption from both the intestines and bones, making it an important component in milk fever prevention strategies. Supplementing with vitamin D, particularly in the form of vitamin D3, can help prepare the cow’s body for the increased calcium demand associated with calving and the onset of lactation.

How does vitamin D support calcium utilization in dairy cows?

Vitamin D contributes to calcium metabolism in several ways:

• It increases calcium absorption from the digestive tract
• Vitamin D enhances the mobilization of calcium from bone reserves
• It supports the reabsorption of calcium in the kidneys
• Vitamin D helps maintain the delicate balance of calcium and phosphorus in the body

By supporting these processes, vitamin D supplementation can help reduce the risk of hypocalcemia and its associated complications.

Monitoring and Early Intervention: Keys to Successful Milk Fever Management

While prevention is ideal, early detection and prompt treatment of milk fever are crucial for minimizing its impact on cow health and farm productivity. Implementing a comprehensive monitoring system can help identify at-risk cows and catch early signs of hypocalcemia.

Effective monitoring strategies for milk fever prevention

Consider incorporating the following practices into your herd health management:

• Regular body condition scoring to assess nutritional status
• Monitoring feed intake, especially during the transition period
• Observing cow behavior and mobility around calving time
• Implementing a strategic blood calcium testing program for high-risk cows
• Keeping detailed records of previous milk fever cases to identify patterns and at-risk animals

By staying vigilant and proactive, farmers can significantly reduce the incidence and severity of milk fever in their herds.

Economic Impact of Milk Fever on Dairy Operations

The financial consequences of milk fever extend far beyond the immediate treatment costs. This metabolic disorder can have a substantial economic impact on dairy farms due to its wide-ranging effects on cow health and productivity.

What are the hidden costs of milk fever in dairy herds?

The economic impact of milk fever includes:

• Direct treatment costs for affected cows
• Decreased milk production in both clinical and subclinical cases
• Increased risk of secondary health issues such as mastitis, ketosis, and displaced abomasum
• Reduced fertility and potential culling of severely affected animals
• Labor costs associated with monitoring and treating affected cows
• Potential loss of high-value animals in severe cases

By implementing effective prevention strategies, dairy farmers can significantly reduce these costs and improve overall herd profitability.

Milk fever represents a significant challenge in modern dairy farming, particularly as cows are bred for higher milk yields. Understanding the underlying causes, recognizing the symptoms, and implementing comprehensive prevention strategies are crucial for maintaining herd health and productivity. By focusing on proper nutrition during the dry period, strategic supplementation, and vigilant monitoring, dairy farmers can significantly reduce the incidence of milk fever and its associated complications. As the dairy industry continues to evolve, ongoing research and adaptation of management practices will be essential in addressing the challenge of hypocalcemia in high-producing dairy cows.

Milk fever: Causes, consequences, prevention

Find out more about On Farm Solutions here

Nowadays, dairy cows are real top athletes. This comes with additional challenges for their health and for on-farm management. Many of these problems can be traced back to supply deficits and can be easily managed with appropriate feed supplements.

Milk fever is a disease that occurs mainly in cows around calving. It is caused by an insufficient amount of calcium in the blood and particularly affects cows with a very high milk yield.

Calcium performs essential functions in the body. It is particularly important for the nervous system and muscle cells, and plays a central role in muscle contraction. If the calcium content in the blood is too low, the muscles can no longer contract. When this happens, the cows cannot move or stand up.

While mild cases may not be easily detectable, they still trigger productivity loss. If undetected, long-term calcium deficiency can even lead to cardiac arrest and thus to the death of the animal.

The development of milk fever

The cause of milk fever is a lack of sufficient calcium in the blood serum (hypocalcemia). The dairy cow has to abruptly change its metabolism at the end of the dry period, going from the resting phase to a high performance phase. During the dry period, cows have a relatively low need for calcium.

When lactation starts, the need for calcium suddenly almost doubles, as large amounts of calcium are required for the production of colostrum (2.3 g/l). The calcium is generally drawn from feed or from the bones. In older cows, the mobilization mechanism often does not start quickly enough. The supply from the bones and feed is insufficient and the body draws the missing calcium from the muscles. This ultimately leads to symptoms of paralysis and overstimulation of the nervous system.

Phases of milk fever

Stage One

In the initial phase of milk fever, the initial signs are

• muscle tremors
• restlessness
• stiff gait
• slightly elevated temperature

Stage Two

At this point, the cows lie on the stomach with an extended neck or the head is lying on the flank. Early symptoms of paralysis appear:

• fast, flat pulse
• cold body surface
• dilated pupils
• flatulence

Stage Three

In the last phase of milk fever, the cow lies on its side, loses consciousness and falls into a coma. The third phase often leads to death (the mortality rate averages 2 – 5%).

While the second phase of milk fever is easy to recognize due to the clear symptoms, the consequences of a “slight” calcium deficiency (Stage One) are often underestimated. Feed intake diminishes, the negative energy and protein balance is increased, and the cows barely move. The impairment of the muscles can cause problems in the udder (mastitis) or in the gastrointestinal tract.

Prevention and solutions

As cases of hypocalcemia immediately after calving may be as high as 50% among second- or third-lactation cows, it is important to act preventively to keep potential milk fever from developing. The dairy farmer´s aim is to support the dairy cows that are at higher risk of milk fever, especially around the critical time of calving. The cows must be enabled to quickly release calcium from the bones after calving, or they must be supplied with calcium that can be easily metabolized.

Upfront prophylaxis

An energy and protein oversupply during the dry period should be avoided. In addition, an application of Vitamin D3 at the end of the pregnancy makes sense.

To stimulate the active regulatory mechanisms of calcium metabolism, the calcium content in the feed should be reduced three to four weeks before calving. In practice, however, this often is not properly observed and feed with a relatively high calcium content is still given out during this period.

There are, no doubt, farms where these above-mentioned preventive measures cannot be carried out due to operational reasons, just as there are animals that are particularly susceptible due to factors such as age, breed or healthy history.

To protect the cow from milk fever around calving, oral administration of calcium salts is widespread in practice. Vitamin D also plays a central role in calcium metabolism. It ensures that the absorption of calcium from the intestines and bones is increased.

When administering oral calcium supplements, there are three important points:

– The cow must have sufficient calcium available per dosage

– The calcium must be available immediately

– Administration must be appropriate for the animals and farmers

Methods of calcium supplementation

To support the cow, oral supplements such as pastes and gels are widely used. They are useful, however they are also relatively difficult to administer, as they require handling the animal in relatively difficult ways.

Liquids are another way of administering calcium supplements. When administering liquids, it is important to make sure the animal does not choke so that the liquids do not get into the lungs.

Boluses are probably the easiest and safest method of supplementation to prevent milk fever. The bolus must naturally be carefully inserted, however the process is easy and requires minimal handling of the animal.

EW Nutrition´s Calzogol Bolus is a dietetic mineral feed with a high level of calcium from of highly available calcium salts and vitamin D3. The Calzogol Bolus contains several calcium sources with different release rates. One major advantage is the very high mucous membrane compatibility, which helps avoid irritation of the mouth, esophagus and rumen. Furthermore, the Calzogol Bolus does not contain caustic calcium chloride. The application is simple and economical, as only one bolus per dose must be administered at the time of calving.

Conclusion

Milk fever is very common in dairy herds. When a cow has milk fever, the farm can incur costs of approx. €350. This is reflected in the loss of milk yield up to 600 kg, losses due to unusable milk, and veterinary and medication costs.

Time resources are also to be taken into account: The economic repercussions represent a significant factor, however they come on top of the extra workload due to the increased need for care of animals.

Cows that suffer from calcium deficiency are also much more susceptible to other diseases. For the farmer, the best strategy is to avoid losses through prophylaxis. Feeding plays a central role; to ensure the best possible production conditions, oral calcium administrations, such as Calzogol Bolus, have proven themselves in practice.

by Judith Schmidt, Product Manager, On Farm Solutions 

References:

Rérat, M. (2005): Milchfieber bei der Milchkuh. ALP aktuell. Nr. 20.

Spiekers, H., Potthast, V. (2004): Erfolgreiche Milchviehfütterung. DLG-Verlag, Frankfurt a. M.

Kirchgeßner, M., Roth, F. X., Schwarz, F. J., Stangl, G. I. (2008): Tierernährung. 12. Auflage. DLG-Verlag, Frankfurt a. M.

Symptoms (Fever After Breastfeeding), Treatment & Prevention

Written by Danny Bonvissuto

In this Article

• Causes
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Prevention

On a good day, your breasts can feel tender. They’re always out on the front lines, taking the brunt of every afternoon jog and pouncing toddler. They don’t get infected often, but when they do, it can hurt like no bad bra or PMS pain ever has.

The catchall name for an infection of the breast tissue is mastitis. If you’re breastfeeding, it’s called lactation or puerperal mastitis. If you’re not, it’s called periductal mastitis. Mastitis can make you feel like you have the flu, but it can be cured a lot quicker.

Mastitis is a common condition in women who breastfeed. As many as 1 in 10 breastfeeding women in the U.S. get it. It’s caused by a backup of milk in the milk ducts. This happens when your baby isn’t sucking or attaching properly, or favors one breast over the other. Mastitis can also happen if you don’t feed or pump regularly.

Breastfeeding women aren’t the only ones who get mastitis. If you’re not breastfeeding, a cracked nipple or nipple piercing can cause the breast infection. Both allow bacteria to get into the milk ducts. This is especially common in women who smoke.

Just like any other infection, the tissue around the infected area becomes inflamed to keep it from spreading to other parts of the body. With mastitis, the infected milk duct causes the breast to swell. Your breast may look red and feel tender or warm.

Many women with mastitis feel like they have the flu, including achiness, chills, and a fever of 101 F or higher.

You may also have discharge from your nipple or feel a hard lump in your breast.

The symptoms of mastitis can come on very suddenly. You may feel like you’re getting the flu before you feel any discomfort in your breast. When you feel that pain or see the telltale redness, call your doctor as soon as possible.

Your doctor can diagnose mastitis based on a physical exam. The fever and chills give it away, as does a red, wedge-shaped area on the breast that points toward the nipple.

There are two things to rule out: a breast abscess, which happens when mastitis isn’t treated quickly, and inflammatory breast cancer, which is rare and shares the symptoms of redness and swelling.

Whether or not you’re breastfeeding, antibiotics should have you feeling better in a day or two. Take them as directed.

If you are breastfeeding, continue drinking lots of water, wearing loose bras, and resting as much as you can. Your doctor may suggest ibuprofen, or something like it, to take care of the fever and pain.

It’s important to keep breastfeeding and move that milk in and out of the ducts. Continue expressing milk if it is too painful to feed from the breast. 

Tight bras and clothing put pressure on your breasts. Keep things light and loose.

To keep milk from backing up, make sure your baby attaches correctly, and get all the milk out of each breast during every feeding. A lactation consultant can help if you need support.

Top Picks

Milk fever | News and articles VkusVill: Moscow and the region

December 3, 2015 19:07

In the first half of November, buyers bombarded us with questions about the safety of goat milk. They were caused by the fact that several cases of brucellosis from goats were recorded in the Moscow region at once.

We reassured buyers, we do not have goat milk from the Moscow region. This milk comes to us from the Republic of Mari El, Novgorod and Kaluga regions.

Our goat milk producers have their own farms. Raw milk is mandatory checked by veterinary services and sent for processing only if all the necessary certificates are available, which confirm its safety.

Why you should be afraid of brucellosis

Brucellosis is caused by microorganisms called brucella. Dangerous to humans are those types that can be infected mainly from goats, cows, sheep and pigs. And you can get infected directly through milk from a sick animal or from products made from it. Also, infection occurs through contact and airborne droplets. At the same time, a person with brucellosis is safe for other people.

Once in the human body, Brucella through the lymphatic pathways reach the lymph nodes, where they prefer to settle. From there, microbes periodically enter the bloodstream.

Both acute and chronic course of the disease is possible. The disease can pass in a milder form, manifesting itself only in a high temperature and not threatening life in any way.

But it is definitely worth being afraid of this disease. One symptom is swollen lymph nodes. There may also be an increase in the liver and spleen, damage to the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, reproductive system. The defeat of the musculoskeletal system, manifested in impaired mobility and deformity of the joints, is one of the frequent signs in the chronic course of the disease.

If you see a doctor in time and receive the necessary treatment, the disease is not life threatening.

Prevention

If you can’t imagine your life without goat’s milk, it doesn’t mean that you should immediately put yourself in the risk group. One of the points for the prevention of brucellosis is the pasteurization of milk. You can get infected only from raw milk, and in order for all the dangerous microorganisms in the product to die, pasteurization is enough.

In order not to put yourself at risk, it is recommended to avoid the consumption of raw goat’s milk.

But, as we have already mentioned above, in order to make sure that milk is suitable, it is checked by veterinarians even before pasteurization. With constant monitoring of animals, the risk of a mass disease of livestock is also excluded. With proper care and taking all the necessary preventive measures, it is not at all difficult to avoid the disease. Another recommendation follows from this – do not buy milk from small private farmers.

Still, the state obliges producers to undergo all necessary checks and have documents confirming the health of animals. And who knows where and how the goat was kept, milk from which can be bought from a grandmother who lives next door.

Lactostasis in nursing: symptoms, treatment, signs

Obstetrician-gynecologist, reproductive specialist

Perevoznikova

Ekaterina Mikhailovna

Experience 13 years

Obstetrician-gynecologist, reproductologist, member of the Russian Association of Human Reproduction, International Society for the Study of Aging, ARSM, ESHRE, Russian Association of Regenerative Medicine

Make an appointment

Laktostasis – a delay in the separation of milk in women during lactation. The cause of this phenomenon in most cases is a blockage or spasm of the milky passages. Other factors can provoke milk retention in the ducts of the mammary glands: wearing tight underwear, injuries, abrupt cessation of breastfeeding.

Causes of pathology

The development of lactostasis occurs against the background of a decrease in the patency of the excretory duct of the mammary gland with excessive milk production. The milky passages are prone to spasms, which cause their obturation. Anatomical features of the structure of the mammary glands of patients have a significant impact on the likelihood of developing lactostasis:

• flat teat;
• sagging breasts;
• narrowed milk ducts.

Often, pathology develops due to an abrupt cessation of lactation or difficulty feeding. Cracks may form on the nipples. Similarly, the likelihood of developing lactostasis in a nursing girl is affected by:

• incorrect attachment of the infant to the breast;
• insufficient sucking activity of the child;
• tight underwear;
• falling asleep on the stomach;
• chest hypothermia;
• stressful situations.

Some women experience blockage of the milky passages due to excessive physical exertion after the birth of a child.

Symptoms of pathology

Symptoms of lactostasis in a nursing mother are diverse. The primary sign of pathology is the compaction of the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe mammary gland. Patients complain of fullness and a feeling of heaviness in the chest. The impossibility of outflow of milk over a long period of time leads to an increase in local temperature and a change in the pigmentation of the skin. In the absence of medical assistance, the girl’s condition worsens. Body temperature with advanced lactostasis rises to 38-39degrees.

The pain syndrome is not always accompanied by the formation of a subcutaneous seal. Attempting to feed a baby can lead to a short-term relief of symptoms. The focus of stagnation remains mobile, the affected area can change location and increase.

Diagnostic measures

Diagnosis of lactostasis is not difficult. An obstetrician or gynecologist examines the patient and palpation determines the localization of the seal in the chest. The girl is encouraged to track changes in body temperature. If there are signs of an inflammatory process, the patient is prescribed tests. Their data allows doctors to develop a strategy for drug treatment that will not affect the quality of the milk received by the child.

Treatment

The main task of all therapeutic manipulations is to create conditions for emptying the mammary glands. Moderate warming and light breast massage contribute to the normalization of the state of the milky passages. Girls should follow the regime and devote the necessary amount of time to rest. Relatives of patients should maintain a conflict-free home environment. Nursing mothers are advised not to sleep on their back or stomach, but on their side.

Expressing milk is an effective way to prevent lactostasis at the first sign of milk retention. The procedure may be painful, but it should be systematically repeated until the symptoms of the pathology disappear completely. A side effect of pumping is a burning sensation in the chest after the opening of the milky passage.

Prolonged lactostasis is a reason to see a doctor. A visit to the clinic is required for persistent pain, fever, hyperemia. Patients may experience breast inflammation. In this case, any warming procedures are contraindicated, as they will accelerate the progression of the infection.

Self-treatment of lactostasis is not recommended for mothers who are breastfeeding for the first time. Erroneous actions can lead to a complicated course of lactostasis and a complete loss of milk.

Complication

The most severe complication of lactostasis is mastitis – inflammation of the breast tissue. Patients face increasing pain syndrome. Later, fever and fever in the affected area join it. The skin of the mammary glands is covered with red stripes. Milk contains impurities of blood and purulent discharge.

The occurrence of mastitis is promoted by hypothermia (lactation in a cool room or in a draft) or overheating (hot shower, sauna) of the patient. Running lactostasis, complicated by mastitis, often causes the formation of a breast abscess.

Preventive measures

Prevention of lactostasis involves the observance of several recommendations by the nursing mother. The infant should be fed regularly (but no more than once every two hours), and milk residues should be carefully expressed using a manual or automatic breast pump.

Avoid wearing tight underwear. Limiting physical activity and stress during lactation significantly reduces the likelihood of lactostasis. An important role is given to the diet – it must include fresh vegetables and fruits.

When symptoms of lactostasis appear, you should not refuse to feed the baby. With a long delay in the outflow of milk, you should consult a doctor. Self-administration of any drugs is not recommended. It should be borne in mind that the affected mammary gland after recovery may produce less milk. Over time, the secretory function will be restored in full.

FAQ

Why should you not stop breastfeeding with lactostasis?

Refusal of lactation can provoke the development of complications, the most severe of which remains mastitis. Inflammatory processes in the mammary glands cause the formation of abscesses. Their treatment is a long and painful process that will not allow the patient to continue breastfeeding the baby.

What drugs are allowed for girls in the treatment of lactostasis?

Treatment of uncomplicated lactostasis does not involve the use of drug therapy. Girls need to express milk with a breast pump. An important role in the expansion of the lactiferous passages is assigned to the manual effect on the mammary gland. Massaging the affected area helps to normalize the outflow of milk. Taking anti-inflammatory drugs is justified in the development of mastitis. Antibiotics help eliminate the possibility of developing an abscess, the treatment of which will require surgical intervention.