Dairy Cow Milk Fever Prevention and Metabolic Welfare

Milk fever (hypocalcaemia) at calving is one of the most common metabolic diseases in dairy cattle, causing paralysis, recumbency, and risk of death if not promptly treated.

Key Facts

Milk fever affects approximately 5-10% of dairy cows around calving, with higher rates in older cows
The condition results from rapid calcium demand for milk production exceeding the cow's mobilisation capacity
Affected cows progress from muscle tremors to recumbency (down cow) and coma if untreated
Intravenous calcium administration resolves uncomplicated cases rapidly and dramatically
Dietary management in the dry period with low calcium or anionic salt diets reduces milk fever incidence significantly

Welfare Considerations

Milk fever causes acute suffering from muscle paralysis, inability to rise, and progressive deterioration without treatment. Down cows experience secondary welfare harms from prolonged recumbency including nerve and muscle compression injuries, bloat, and aspiration risk. Prompt recognition and treatment with intravenous calcium provides rapid and often complete resolution, making this a condition where veterinary intervention has immediate dramatic welfare benefit. Prevention through nutritional management in the dry period is even more effective, reducing both the incidence of suffering and the risk of secondary recumbency injuries from prolonged down-cow episodes.

What You Can Do

Implement dry cow nutritional management including anionic salts to reduce milk fever incidence
Train stock managers to recognise early milk fever signs including unsteadiness and delayed rise after calving
Ensure intravenous calcium is immediately available for prompt treatment of affected cows
Assist recumbent cows with rolling and position changes to prevent secondary recumbency injuries