Occurrence and effects of sub-clinical hypocalcaemia in dairy
cows
R.C.W. Daniel, D.R. Kerr, C.M. Mulei
University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1990, 50: 261-264
Research has shown some dairy cows show temporary falls in
plasma calcium concentration during the first six weeks of lactation.
By monitoring plasma calcium concentrations in 58 dairy cows in 4 herds
for 42 days postpartum it was found that 33% showed at least one episode
of a fall in plasma calcium concentration to <1.9 mmol/l. The mean
plasma calcium concentration of these cows during this period was 2.15
mmol/l compared to 2.60 mmol/l for those cows which maintained plasma
calcium concentrations above 2.10 mmol/l for six weeks and 2.35 mmol/l
for another group which maintained plasma calcium concentration above
1.9 mmol/l but not always above 2.1 mmol/l. These mean calcium
concentrations differed significantly (P<0.001) among the three groups
and between sampling days after calving. There was no significant
association between herd and distribution of cows in each group and age
of cow was not significantly correlated with plasma calcium
concentration on days 7, 9, 19, 29 and 42 after calving or with the
overall mean concentrations. Sub-clinical hypocalcaemia may commonly
occur in early lactation and have significant effects on production and
reproduction in dairy cows.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Dairy; cattle; hypocalcaemia
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Last Updated 25-01-1997
