Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Milk Fever Prevention Welfare

Milk fever from calcium deficiency at calving causes paralysis and is fatal without treatment, with prevention strategies dramatically reducing incidence and suffering.

Key Facts

Milk fever occurs when calcium demand for colostrum production exceeds blood calcium supply
Clinical signs progress from weakness and trembling to lateral recumbency and coma
Jersey cattle and older cows have highest milk fever risk
Dietary calcium management in the transition period prevents most cases
Oral calcium supplementation at calving is cost-effective prevention for high-risk cows

Welfare Considerations

Milk fever causes acute paralysis and progressive multi-organ failure causing intense suffering and death without treatment. Prevention through pre-calving dietary management and strategic supplementation reduces suffering for thousands of cows annually.

What You Can Do

Implement transition cow nutrition protocols to prevent milk fever in high-risk cows
Provide oral calcium supplementation at calving for older and high-risk cows
Train farm staff to recognise and treat milk fever promptly