Post calving paralysis:

This is a problem on most dairy farms at calving and is usually diagnosed as a pinched nerve by their veterinarian; it can be successfully treated by nutrition. I know that sounds controversial, and that I am talking through a hole in my head, stay with me and I will explain.

When a cow runs low on magnesium she gets the collywobbles, this is a nutritional disorder and it is due to too little magnesium in the blood, and the results are graphic. Post calving paralysis is due to an inverse electrolyte ratio in the animal’s diet. Like grass tetany (Low blood Magnesium) and milk fever (low blood Calcium), the animal requires phosphorus in amounts sufficient to meet its metabolic needs. These needs are increased at calving as the animal’s requirement for phosphorus increases dramatically as the demand is increased along with its increased requirement for energy and lactation.
 
This element is contiguously associated with energy in metabolism. A shortage will be revealed as lethargy and lowered production, in which case the animal will have difficulty raising from a prone position and may stumble and fall if harassed.
 
There is a defined ratio of electrolytes in animal nutrition and when this ratio is breached the animal displays symptoms as seen as post calving paralysis, milk fever, grass tetany and loss of appetite and production, even death.
 
Milk Fever:

Milk fever (Hypocalcaemia) the symptoms are as a result of low blood calcium concentrations. The term milk fever is a misnomer as the animal will not have a fever. The animal has been asked to call on all her body reserves as the demand for calcium increases dramatically at calving. Like phosphorus, calcium’s demand has increased however its supply has not. These two elements are linked along with potassium and sodium. The ratio required is well defined and well established. For animals this is as follows:

For each one part of phosphorus in the animals diet there should be: (1)

One and one/half parts of calcium: (1.5)

Three quarters of a part of magnesium: (0.75)

Half of a part of sodium: (0.5)

And three parts of potassium: (3.0)

Our spring feeds contain up to 5% potassium, throwing the rest out of kilter. That’s not due to too much potassium in the soil, but an insufficiency of the other elements. Re-establish the right ratios in the soil and the problem of excess potassium will dissolve. Grazing animals on high calcium feeds, or giving them access to licks laced with calcium up to calving will result in the parathyroid’s becoming lethargic as they assume all in the animal is in order. It is not until the animal drops her offspring that the demand comes on and the parathyroids get the message that the demand has exceeded the supply. It takes about 7 days for the glands to strike up and that’s when the animals demand exceeds the supply.

Withdraw all calcium from the diet for 10 days prior to calving to frustrate these glands and they will become active and hyperactive. Now immediately at parturition supply calcium and the blood supply will be met.

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