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Milk Fever

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This condition has nothing to do with fever, but rather with an improper calcium-to-phosphorous ratio in the diet.
Grain is usually the culprit here, because it is high in phosphorous but low in calcium.

The condition occurs toward the end of pregnancy, when the babies need calcium for bone development, or immediately after birthing when milk production kicks in.

If the mother can’t get enough calcium through her diet, her body will begin to deplete its own resources.

Besides bones and teeth, calcium is necessary for proper muscle function (skeletal, heart, digestive, uterine). With a calcium shortage, muscles become weak so that the dam can no longer stand, digestion slows, uterine contractions weaken, and eventually, her heart will give out if the problem isn’t corrected immediately.

Typically, the mother with hypocalcemia will go off her grain first, then stop eating hay. The other symptoms of hypocalcemia are very similar to ketosis, so it is recommended to treat hypocalcemia as you would treat ketosis.

In addition, give calcium gluconate injections or IV. See product label for dosages.

To prevent hypocalcemia, total dietary intake should contain 2 to 2.5 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorous.

Calcium can be provided in alfalfa, clover, comfrey, or kudzu hay, or by top dressing her feed with dolomite powder or ground limestone.

N.B: Don’t increase grain dramatically, increase forage and high-quality hay instead. If you do increase grain, also increase calcium.
 
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