Transition Cow Management

The high demand for calcium around calving can cause blood calcium levels to fall resulting in a case of milk fever when the cow becomes recumbent.

Also at this time, dairy cattle are in a negative energy balance, and as a result, have elevated ketone bodies in their system, as they break down body reserves. If too high these ketone bodies can cause clinical signs of ketosis, which include anorexia, milk drop and neurological signs.

Although familiar conditions to many of our clients it is always good to refresh knowledge and discuss treatment options. There was a lot of interest in new products that have come to market based around prevention rather than cure of these conditions which we all know is the way forward!