METABOLIC DISEASE OF LIVESTOCK:

• Those diseases which are caused by metabolic disturbances or imbalance of different nutrient materials commonly occurring in dairy cows and pregnant ewes and characterized by heavy economic loss due to loss of production is called metabolic disease of livestock.
• Major metabolic diseases of livestock:
  • Milk fever (Calving paralysis)
  • Ketosis
  • Downer’s cow syndrome
  • Grass tetany/Lactation tetany
  • Eclampsia
  • Pregnancy toxemia

Milk Fever:

• It occurs most commonly at the time of parturition within 48-72 hour.
• It occurs due to low blood calcium level.
• Mostly affected animal: Cow and buffalo
• Age: 5-10 year of age (more common)
• Breed: exotic breed of cattle is more susceptible.
• Season: winter season, i.e. Sept. – Dec.
• Stage of lactation:
  • 3% cases occur before calving
  • 6% cases occur at time of calving
  • 91% of case occurs post calving
    • 75%- 24 hours
    • 12%- 24-48 hours
    • 4%- 48 hours

Etiology:

• Sudden loss of calcium from serum; normal: 10-12 mg/dL , in milk fever it reaches to 2.7 mg/dL
• Excess drain of calcium through colostrum and milk
• Excess intake of calcium in dry period
• Deficiency of vitamin D
• Improper Ca: Mg ratio (6:1)
• Improper Ca: P ratio (2:1)

Clinical Signs:

• Divided into 3 stages:
  • Stage I- Stage of excitement
  • Stage II- Stage of sternal Recumbency
  • Stage III- Stage of lateral Recumbency

Stage I (Stage of Excitement):

• Grinding of teeth
• Short period of excitement
• Often go unnoticed
• Protrusion of tongue
• Temperature may be normal or subnormal.

Stage II (Stage of Sternal Recumbency):

• Cow lies down and cannot get up.
• Animal rests on sternum with head turned upwards shoulder or flank (S-shaped posture)
• Cold skin and extremities
• Suspended rumination, defecation and urination
• Secondary bloat and constipation

Stage III (Stage of Lateral Recumbency):

• Cow lies on its side with legs stretched out.
• Cow loses consciousness; progressively to coma
• Complete muscle flaccidity, unresponsive to stimuli
• Severe bloat, lowered body temperature
• If left untreated, animal dies due to cardio-respiratory failure.

Diagnosis:

• Based on history and clinical signs
• Based on response to Ca therapy
• Based on serum biochemistry; decreased serum Ca level

Treatment:

• Calcium borogluconate (Thiacal) @ 500 ml; 250 ml slow IV and remaining dose by S/C.
• Normal rule of Ca dosing is 1g/45 kg b.wt.
• Dexamethasone injection; 5-7 ml, IM or IV
• Vitamin-B complex; 10-15 ml, IM or IV
• In case of bloat; Afanil or tympanil is given
• 1 complete Ca dose along with 1 oz. of sodium acid phosphate and 4 oz. glucose IV
• Antihistamine: Avil or Phenergan- 10-15 ml, IM
• D therapy: 8 mg single dose 3-10 days before calving IM
• For prevention of milk fever; oral dosing of calcium
  • Prior to calving- 1 dose
  • At calving- 1 dose
  • 12-hour post calving- 1 dose
  • 24-hour post calving- 1 dose