MILK-FEVER PREVALENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 23 September 1941, Page 6

MILK-FEVER PREVALENT

METHOD OF TREATMENT CASES IN NELSON DISTRICT The Nelson Live-stock Divisipn of the Department of Agriculture reports that a number of cases of milk-fever among dairy cows have occurred in the district during the past few days. Milk-fever occurs usually within a period of three days following calving. The type of cow most likely to develop milk-fever is the heavy-producing cow in high condition. The symptoms of milk fever are well known to farmers, but the outstanding feature associated with this disease is rapid loss of consciousness following or. the initial unsteady gait and collapse of the cow. Cows in a herd which can be regarded as being susceptible to an attack of milk-fever should be kept off young spring pasture for some time before calving, and be provided with hay - and other supplementary feed. A good practice is to sprinkle the hay with a strong solution of molasses in water. Susceptible cows might also be given a drench, as follows:—Calcium chloride, 2oz, dissolved in a pint and a half of ho* water, to which is added 21b of molasses or treacle. Good results have been secured by giving this drench twice during the week before calving, and once immediately after. When a cow has gone down with milk-fever the first essential is thorough inflation of the udder after proper sterilisation of the milk-fever outfit and cleansing of teats. The cow must then be propped up on her brisket and kept in the normal sitting posture until recovery takes place. REGARDING DRENCHING IN MILK-FEVER The danger of this whilst the cow is unconscious cannot be over-empha-sised: there is always a danger of the drench going into tb*e lungs if it is given whilst she is in a comatose condition. If the cow does not get up within a few hours after udder inflation, and she has sufficiently recovered consciousness to allow of drenching, the drench recommended above should be careful • ly administered. It is important in drenching a recumbent cow not to unduly raise the head, otherwise the animal may easily be choked.