Bovine Postparturient Paresis - contd.
Early intravenous calcium gluconate is the treatment of choice for severely affected patients. The solution must be given slowly because rapid calcium infusion may result in cardiac arrest. Concurrent use of subcutaneous calcium gluconate may prevent recurrence, by slow release of biologically available calcium from the tissues into the bloodstream. Patients with mild signs are appropriately treated with subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, and/or oral calcium products.
The response to properly administered calcium therapy is quite characteristic. The cow's symptoms will appear to reverse themselves as they had previously progressed. The laterally recumbent cow will sit up to sternal position, then it will often begin to have tremors over its body. As all bodily functions affected by hypocalcemia begin to reverse, the affected animal may urinate, belch, and then begin the wobbly effort to rise. Cows generally rise within one hour. Repeat treatment may be necessary in 12 hours if the cow is still unable to rise.
