Prevention of Milk Fever (Hypocalcemic Paresis Puerperalis) by Dietary Salt Supplements

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Abstract
Twelve cows of 14 given a basic diet supplemented with Na2GO3 and NaHCO3 during four weeks pre partum and one week past partum were attacked by milk fever (hypocalcemic paresis puerperalis), while 12 cows of 13 receiving the same basic diet supplemented with sulfates and chlorides remained healthy. A mixture of CaCl2, Al2(SO4)3 and MgSO4 was found to be a convenient prophyllactic supplement. It was found possible to induce and prevent milk fever at successive parturitions in the same cow by altering the dietary conditions. The data give further support to the hypothesis that the alkali alkalinity of the diet is the major factor in induction or prevention of milk fever.