Methods of measurement and implications of abnormal calcium concentrations in fresh dairy cows

Abstract

Hypocalcemia is a prevalent disorder in the early postpartum period. Advances in periparturient nutrition and management strategies have decreased the occurrence of clinical hypocalcemia over the past few decades; however, subclinical hypocalcemia remains an important aspect of transition cow health. These proceedings will discuss the diagnostic tools available to bovine practitioners for individual animal calcium concentration determination and herd-level monitoring, as well as current developments in the epidemiology of hypocalcemia and its prevention.