Volume 58 (2008) Issue: 2008 No#2-3

Duphafral® Vit. D3 1000 and KatAn® anionic salts for the prevention of milk fever in dairy cows

Author(s): Zadnik T, Soršak B, Klinkon Martina, Starić J

Keywords:transition cows, blood biochemical analysis, milk fever, prevention, anionic salts, vitamin D3

On three dairy farms with similar dietary treatments the effect of intramuscular (i/m) administration of Duphafral® Vit. D3 1000 and oral administration of KatAn® anionic salts for the prevention of milk fever (MF) was studied in 30 Black and White cows. The first group of cows (n=10; dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD)=+95.99 mEq/kg DMI) 10 ml of Vitamin D3 was administered one week before the expected calving. KatAn® group (n=10; DCDA=–99.00 mEq/kg DMI) was orally administered 300 g of anionic salts per day two weeks before parturition. The third group of cows (n=10, DCDA=+95.99 mEq/kg DMI) was the control group. During the experiment we controlled the clinical status of cows and blood samples were taken (2 and 1 week before parturition, and 1, 2 and 7 days postpartum) for the determination of plasma Ca, iP and Mg concentrations. It was established that the best results were achieved by i/m administration of 10 million IU cholecalciferol (vit. D3) one week before calving. Only one cow in this group was affected by MF the second day after calving. In KatAn® group one cow showed typical MF symptoms the first day after calving and another cow had retained foetal membranes (RFM). In the control group the MF incidence was markedly higher. One cow developed MF, one RFM and one cow showed left-sided displacement of the abomasum (LDA). Because the cows refused to eat silage mixed with KatAn salts, each cow was given the solution (300 ml) daily via a manual drencher. On the basis of the analyses, clinical-laboratory data and time-consuming application of anionic salts, we are of the opinion that the best prophylactic measure for the prevention of MF on small and medium large dairy farms in Slovenia is i/m administration of Duphafral®Vit. D3 1000.