Table 1 Controlled investigations on the prophylactic effect of oral calcium drenching on milk fever. Preventive effect calculated as percentage reduction in milk fever incidence among treated cows as compared to controls.
Reference | Treatment | Preventive effect on milk fever1) (MF incidence in experimentals vs. controls, %) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
[92] | Calcium chloride gel × 4–10 Around 40 g Ca/dose | 86% (7.7 vs. 53.2) | Average effect obtained in seven separate studies. Occational diarrhoea and loss of appetite |
[60] | Calcium chloride gel × 3–4 54 g Ca/dose | 51% (22.6 vs. 46.6) | More cases of diarrhoea (17% vs. 10%) |
[99] | Calcium chloride gel × 4–10 36 g Ca/dose | 48% (25.6 vs. 48.8) | More cases of milk fever > 48 hours after calving among treated cows (12.8% vs. 2.4%) |
[82] | Calcium chloride + calcium sulphate capsule × 4 46 g Ca/dose | 73% (14.6 vs. 54.8) | No side-effects Administration of capsules eliminates the risk of aspiration |
[42] | Calcium propionate paste × 4 37 g Ca/dose | 42% (29 vs. 50) | No effect on the incidence of milk fever in herds with low milk fever incidence |
[75] | Calcium chlorid + tricalcium phosphate gel × 4 54 g Ca/dose | 58% (4.9 vs.11.8) | Significantly fewer cases of displaced abomasums (1.0% vs. 7.8%) |
[3] | Calcium chloride paste × 4 50 g Ca/dose | 67% (14.3 vs. 42.9) | Increased salivation following administration of the paste. |
[2] | Calcium chloride paste 1 × 3 + 1/2 × 2 50 or 25 g Ca/dose | 70% (10.0 vs. 33.3) |  |
[84] | Calcium propionate boli × 6 20 g Ca/dose Calcium chloride in oil × 4 54 g Ca/dose | 30% (25.3 vs. 36.0) 36% (23.2 vs. 36.0) | Large number of cows (194 experimental cows and 713 control cows) |