Milk fever, medically known as parturient paresis, is a widespread metabolic disorder predominantly affecting dairy animals like cows and buffaloes around the time of calving. Despite its name, milk fever is not characterized by a fever; rather, it results from a sudden drop in blood calcium levels (hypocalcemia). This drop impacts muscle function and can severely affect an animal’s ability to stand, move, and perform vital physiological activities.

Understanding milk fever’s causes, clinical signs, treatments, and prevention is critical to safeguarding the health and productivity of dairy herds.

What Causes Milk Fever?

Milk fever primarily occurs due to a deficiency of calcium in the bloodstream during early lactation, a period when the calcium demand skyrockets to produce colostrum and milk. Calcium plays a crucial role in muscle contraction, nerve function, blood clotting, and hormone secretion. When calcium levels fall below the normal range (8.5–10.5 mg/dL in serum), muscular and neurological functions begin to fail.

Several factors contribute to milk fever:

• High calcium demand postpartum: As the animal begins lactating, calcium shifts rapidly from the bloodstream into milk.
• Inadequate dietary calcium during the dry period: If animals consume insufficient calcium or have poor calcium absorption before calving, their reserves are low.
• Imbalance in minerals: Excess dietary potassium or phosphorus can interfere with calcium metabolism.
• Insufficient parathyroid hormone (PTH) response: PTH regulates calcium release from bones and absorption from intestines. Failure to respond effectively causes calcium to drop rapidly.

Metabolic changes during late pregnancy: Hormonal shifts affect mineral balance and calcium homeostasis.

Physiological Mechanism Behind Milk Fever

Normally, when blood calcium levels drop, the parathyroid gland secretes PTH, which triggers:

• Mobilization of calcium from bones.
• Increased calcium absorption from the intestine via activation of vitamin D.
• Reduced calcium excretion by kidneys.

In milk fever, this adaptive response is inadequate or delayed, causing sustained hypocalcemia.

Clinical Signs and Stages of Milk Fever

Milk fever manifests in three progressive stages:

Stage 1 – Mild

• Restlessness and anxiety
• Muscle tremors and twitching, especially around flanks and limbs
• Staggering gait or difficulty standing
• Increased heart and respiratory rates

Stage 2 – Moderate

• The animal becomes unable to stand and lies down in a sternal recumbent position (chest down).
• Cold extremities and ears due to poor circulation.
• Dilated, unresponsive pupils and decreased awareness.
• Dry muzzle and decreased ruminal motility.
• Constipation from reduced gastrointestinal muscle function.

Stage 3 – Severe

• The animal lies on its side (lateral recumbency) and is unable to rise.
• Complete muscular paralysis and loss of reflexes.
• Weak or irregular heartbeat and drop in body temperature.
• Risk of coma and death without urgent treatment.

Diagnosis of Milk Fever

Diagnosis is typically based on clinical observation and history. Confirmatory diagnosis involves blood tests measuring serum calcium levels, usually showing hypocalcemia (<5.5 mg/dL).

Other diagnostic tests include serum phosphorus and magnesium levels to assess mineral imbalances, and evaluating acid-base status, as metabolic alkalosis can worsen milk fever.

Conventional Treatment Approaches

Prompt veterinary intervention is critical. Treatment generally involves:

• Intravenous calcium therapy: Administration of calcium borogluconate solutions directly into the bloodstream rapidly restores calcium levels. Care must be taken to avoid rapid infusion that can cause cardiac arrhythmias.
• Oral calcium supplementation: Used after IV therapy or as preventive care to maintain calcium levels.
• Magnesium supplementation: Supports PTH function and calcium absorption.
• Supportive care: Including fluid therapy and monitoring for secondary infections like retained placenta or mastitis.

Prevention Strategies

Milk fever prevention is more effective and economical than treatment. Management focuses on preparing the animal’s metabolism during the dry period to handle the sudden calcium demand after calving.

Nutritional Management

• Calcium restriction before calving: Feeding low-calcium diets in the last 2-3 weeks prepartum helps “prime” the parathyroid gland to respond more efficiently to hypocalcemia.
• Dietary Cation-Anion Difference (DCAD) balancing: Feeding anionic salts creates a mild metabolic acidosis, enhancing calcium mobilization and absorption.
• Adequate magnesium and phosphorus: These minerals support PTH activity and calcium metabolism.
  

Herbal and Natural Approaches

Natural herbal supplements containing calcium and supportive nutrients are gaining popularity. Plants like Moringa oleifera, Sesbania grandiflora, and Cissus quadrangularis are rich in bioavailable calcium and antioxidants that aid metabolic health.

Importance of Uterine Health Post-Calving

Milk fever can impair uterine muscle function, delaying the expulsion of the placenta (retained placenta) and increasing risk of uterine infections such as metritis. Proper uterine involution (return of the uterus to normal size) is essential for restoring fertility and milk production.

Introduction to Uterotone 3 in 1 

To assist animals during this vulnerable transition period, Uterotone 3 in 1 is a polyherbal liquid feed supplement fortified with essential minerals (Calcium 13,500 mg/100 ml, Phosphorus 6750 mg/100 ml, Magnesium 200 mg/100 ml) and carbohydrate precursors. This supplement supports uterine health, aids calcium balance, and helps reduce metabolic disorders such as milk fever and ketosis. It also promotes timely placenta expulsion and optimizes milk production.

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