MILK FEVER.
—It is a remarkable fact that this disease occurs most commonly in cows which calved easily. This is explained by the fact that in such cases the os uteri remains relaxed for a greater length of time than it does in cases of difficult parturition. Milk fever generally occurs in cows which are heavy milkers, and great eaters. Keeping the animals in permanent stables, and feeding large quantities of rich food while they are giving no milk are predisposing causes.
The disease makes its appearance usually in from 24 to 48 hours after parturition. It seldom occurs after the third day, and some authors state that it has never been recognized before the starting of the milk secretion. The most salient symptoms to the average layman would, perhaps, be the anxious expression of the animal, bellowing and mounting into the manger. Later they become very weak, stagger and fall, and are unable to rise. The members are usually extended in a rigid position. A rattling or whistling noise is heard in case the larynx is paralyzed. The feet, ears and horns feel cold to the touch. When a case is going to recover we see improvement as early as the second or third day. Recovery is usually complete at the end of from two to five days.
Milk fever is one of the cases where the old maxim, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, is doubly applicable. If proper precautions were taken a large number of cases could be prevented. Give the pregnant animals daily exercise, and decrease their allowance of food.
Treatment Very Simple.
—Make the cow comfortable. Now give her a small dose of Epsom salts from one-half to one pound, depending on her size. This should be given as a drench. Animals afflicted with this ailment swallow with difficulty. Use care that the drench does not get into the lungs. Perhaps the most satisfactory medical treatment is to use what is known as the Schmidt treatment. This is nothing more than injecting into the udder a solution made by dissolving in one quart of clean boiled water 3 teaspoonfuls of iodide of potash, after stripping all milk from the udder. A very satisfactory way is to get a rubber tube, attach it to a common milking tube which is placed into the teats in turn and pour the solution into the tube by means of a funnel. By massaging the udder the solution can be worked into each quarter in a short time without difficulty.
In case iodide of potash is not available, inject air into the udder after drawing out the milk. I have known of many cases where air has been forced into the udder by means of a bicycle pump, and the animal recovered in a very short time. If the disease does not respond to the treatment with readiness, repeat in a few hours, say, anywhere from five to ten hours after. Cold water or ice on the head is advisable. The use of stimulants is also recommended. Whiskey can be given in doses of 10 to 15 tablespoonfuls and jamaica ginger 6 to 8 tablespoonfuls. Milk the cow frequently and massage the udder, bathing in hot water.
After the cow is on the way to recovery, withhold milk-stimulating foods for a few days and give some tonic like gentian and nux vomica, half and half, 2 or 3 tablespoonfuls two or three times a day.