Milk Fever & Down Cows
Milk Fever in Cows - Symptoms & Remedies New Zealand
Milk fever, also known as hypocalcaemia, is a metabolic disorder that often affects dairy cows shortly after calving. It's characterised by a sudden drop in blood calcium levels, leading to muscle weakness and the inability to stand. This guide will help you understand the symptoms of milk fever and provide you with natural remedies to counteract this common dairy cow ailment.
Identifying Milk Fever Symptoms
The condition typically manifests in a sudden loss of appetite, tremors, muscle stiffness, and difficulty walking or standing. During the later stages, cows may become unable to rise or maintain a standing position. To ensure the health of your dairy cows, it's crucial to identify these milk fever symptoms early on. This will allow you to take fast action and avoid further complications.
Milk Fever Remedies and How They Work
Natural Pet offers a range of homoeopathic remedies designed to assist your cows in times of need. These milk fever remedies are designed to support the natural immune system of your pet and animal, although they do not claim to treat, medicate, or cure any health conditions.
Belladonna 200c DC
One of the go-to milk fever remedies in New Zealand is Belladonna 200c DC. This homoeopathic remedy assists the dairy cow's natural immune response when suffering from milk fever. It can be used alongside organic production animals and is administered onto a mucous membrane (either the nose or vulva) for dairy cows. When the cows are in the dairy shed, spraying onto the vulva is the easiest way to administer. This should be done at least three times per milking, allowing at least five minutes between doses.
Carbo Veg 30c DC
Another great remedy for combating milk fever is Carbo Veg 30c DC. This product is especially useful when a dairy cow is in a state of debility and collapse, has low vitality, is sluggish, cold, blue, in shock and not responding. It's known as the 'corpse reviver', perfect for revitalising weak and cold cows. This remedy, like Belladonna, can be administered on a mucous membrane for dairy cows.
Other Milk Fever Remedies
Other milk fever remedies available include Arn / Acon / Bell DC for shock and trauma, Cal / Mag DC to help the body assimilate calcium and magnesium, and Conium 30c DC for nerve damage and rear end paralysis. These remedies can be administered to dairy cows individually or at a herd level, depending on the situation and requirement.
Milk Fever FAQs
What is the calcium level for milk fever in cows?
Clinical milk fever refers to conditions in cows, both "downer" and "non-downer," where the blood calcium concentration is below 1.4mM. On the other hand, subclinical milk fever occurs when the cows have a blood calcium level of less than 2.0mM but more than 1.4mM.
What’s the difference between mastitis and milk fever in cows?
Milk fever and mastitis are two different conditions that can affect cows. Milk fever, also known as hypocalcemia, occurs when a cow is unable to maintain normal levels of calcium in her blood during the transition period before calving. This can result in muscle weakness, loss of appetite, depression, and in severe cases, recumbency. Milk fever is a metabolic disorder and can be prevented by feeding a balanced diet with adequate calcium levels.
On the other hand, mastitis is an inflammation of the udder tissue, usually caused by bacteria entering the teat canal. It is a common and costly disease in dairy cows, and mastitis can lead to changes in milk composition. Mastitis in cows treatment can be found here at Natural Pet.
How do I know if my cow is at risk of milk fever?
Cows at higher risk for milk fever include older cows, high-yielders, overweight cows, and those with a history of milk fever. Our natural remedies can be used alongside calcium and magnesium supplements that are administered intravenously and/or orally. If your cow is not recovering after these measures, then we recommend you contact your vet.
At Natural Pet, we"re dedicated to providing you with natural solutions for your animals' health issues. Our selection of homoeopathic milk fever remedies can offer a gentle, effective alternative for the health of your cows. Remember, prevention is the best cure, and being informed is the first step towards prevention. We're here to support you with the knowledge and resources you need to ensure your animals' well-being. If you have any other questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Do I still need to go to the vet if I use natural milk fever remedies?
While these milk fever remedies serve as a helping hand in tackling milk fever symptoms, they are not a replacement for professional veterinary advice. If you are worried about your animal or feel they are in pain or suffering, please contact your veterinarian. Remember, prevention is always better than cure, so a balanced diet and adequate care should always be the priority. Stay tuned to Natural Pet for more valuable information on caring for your dairy cows and maintaining their optimal health.
