A randomized clinical trial assessing the effect of 3 different commercial oral calcium supplementation bolus on calcium dynamics and urine pH after calving

Interim findings

Authors

  • P. P. C. Ferro Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108
  • A. M. Antunes, Jr. Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108
  • R. C. Neves Department of Veterinary Services, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409
  • L. S. Caixeta Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20197203

Keywords:

calcium homeostasis, lactation, serum calcium, postpartum

Abstract

Calcium (Ca) homeostasis is one of the many metabolic challenges faced by a dairy cow during her transition from the dry period into lactation. The use of anionic salts during the dry period is an effective strategy to prevent clinical hypocalcemia, yet subclinical hypocalcemia (SCH) has been reported to affect up to 70% of multiparous cows. Although the use of oral calcium supplements immediately after calving is a commonly adopted method to prevent and treat SCH in multiparous cows, there is a shortage of information comparing different oral calcium products. Thus, the overall goal of this project is to evaluate the effect of different commercially available oral calcium products on postpartum serum calcium profiles of dairy cows. Additional objectives are: determine milk production, urine pH, and Ca concentrations during the first 5 days after oral calcium supplementation. This study is ongoing, with serum and urine samples currently being analyzed to determine Ca concentrations.

Cover image of the 52nd Conference Proceedings: A photo of a herd of cattle shot from below. A black and white cow is looking curiously at the phototgrapher. Yellow

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Published

2019-09-12

Issue

2019

Section

Research Summaries

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