Milk Fever – Signs, Symptoms, Treatment

I have been watching Daisy closely for milk fever.  Jerseys are famous for it.

It usually strikes cows when they are 6 years old or older.  Daisy is 4, but I am still keeping an eye on her.

Milk fever is caused by a calcium deficiency.  All the calcium in those momma-cows body’s goes straight to the udder to get the milk factory running.  When calcium levels plummet to minuscule levels it is very dangerous for the mama cow.

Is Your cow at risk?

High Producer –

It is not recommended that cows be bred (or purchased) for producing extremely high levels of milk.  Many commercial dairies will use breeding techniques to get higher and higher yields of milk from cows.

When a cow is an extremely high producer she is at greater risk for milk fever.

I have owned 2 jerseys who never came down with milk fever.  They both had small to average udders and provided about 3 gallons of milk per day.

My jersey who produced 5 gallons per day was the one with the milk fever (and mastitis) problems that never seemed to go away.  Producing that much milk is simply taxing and opens up opportunities for many problems.

When that giant udder goes into production it steals all the calcium from her blood in order to make gallons and gallons of milk.  You can probably see how this can be dangerous.  The bigger the udder, the more milk, the more stress (and calcium) will be pulled out of the cow’s system.

Overweight –

Fat cows are 4 times more likely to develop milk fever (source: Dairygoldagri state).

Try to keep your cow’s body condition healthy.  I will be the first to admit that this can be a struggle when you feed with round bales.  Our cows have unlimited access to hay and it is difficult to control how much they do or do not eat.

Age-

Heifers almost never get milk fever.  Cows are at their highest risk between 5-7 years old.

My cow is only 4 years old, but she has fairly large udder.

Breed –

Jersey cows are notorious for coming down with milk fever, dang it.

As far as I am concerned, jerseys are the best cows in the world.

1. They typically don’t have trouble calving.
2. They are social.  Which makes them great family cows.
3. They are small.  Easy to handle and don’t eat terribly much.
4. They make the best milk there is.  High in butterfat, creamy, and most Jerseys provide A2 milk.

The jersey may be at higher risk for milk fever, but, I think, she is worth the risk.

The great news is that if milk fever is caught and treated early, your cow will have no problem recovering.

Signs of milk fever include:

• Wobbling
• Shaking
• Trouble walking
• Lying down
• Unable to get up

There are 3 basic stages

STAGE ONE

Minor symptoms, such as tremors, restlessness, ear twitching, head bobbing and mild forms of ataxia. In this stage, cows are still mobile, but very excitable.

STAGE TWO

If the milk fever is not noticed or goes untreated the problem will progress into Stage 2.

During stage 2 cows are no longer able to stand up. Here they show weakened heart contractions and appear dull, with lower than normal body temperatures. Some animals begin to suffer from bloat

STAGE THREE

The final stage of milk fever is terrifying.  This would be when you find a “down cow.” Cows will be lying, unresponsive, possibly unconscious or going into a coma.  Lack of treatment will end in death.

The good news is that milk fever is treatable, especially if it is caught early.

When a cow has milk fever it can be treated with calcium.

Calcium can be delivered intravenously or with a calcium tube. (by the way, this calcium tube also supplies magnesium so if your cow is suffering from grass-tetany this tube will also treat that).  More on grass tetany HERE.

We use the calcium tubes (instead of IV) because we are capable of administering them ourselves.

To give a cow a calcium tube you will need the tube of meds AND the applicator.  Without the cow-caulk-gun, you will not be able to get the medicine into the animal.

Calcium tubes can be found at many farm stores and at the vet.  The administrator is sold right next to the tubes.

Getting the medicine in the Cow

I am not sure how to explain this without sounding like it is abusive.

Basically, you use a caulk gun to squirt the contents of the calcium tube down the cow’s throat.

I tilt the cow’s head upward.  DH shoves the tube halfway down the cow’s gullet and then starts pumping the handle.  It only takes a couple of seconds before the tube is empty.

The cow would appreciate it if you had a few gallons of water available for her to guzzle after the medicine.  I have not personally tasted a calcium tube, but I have been told it is like swallowing battery acid.

Yummy.

and Ouch.

So – lots of water.  Please.

The directions for the calcium administration are on the tube.  Ask your vet how they would prefer you to approach the treatment.

We give one tube at the first signs of milk fever and a second tube the next day.

Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or have your own milk-fever experience to share!

XO,

Candi