Milk fever

Toxicity. Vitamin D toxicity was known as eady as the year 1429 (217). Accidental toxicity has been reported in monkeys, dogs, horses, pigs, chinchillas, and humans, and particulady in catde when extremely high doses of vitamin D have been used to treat milk fever. 

In the treatment of diseases where the metaboUtes are not being deUvered to the system, synthetic metaboUtes or active analogues have been successfully adrninistered. Vitamin metaboUtes have been successfully used for treatment of milk fever ia catde, turkey leg weakness, plaque psoriasis, and osteoporosis and renal osteodystrophy ia humans. Many of these clinical studies are outlined ia References 6, 16, 40, 51, and 141. The vitamin D receptor complex is a member of the gene superfamily of transcriptional activators, and 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D is thus supportive of selective cell differentiation. In addition to mineral homeostasis mediated ia the iatestiae, kidney, and bone, the metaboUte acts on the immune system, P-ceUs of the pancreas (iasulin secretion), cerebellum, and hypothalamus. 

Hardeng F and Edge V L (2001), Mastitis, ketosis and milk fever in 31 organic and 93 conventional Norwegian dairy herds , Journal of Dairy Science, 84, 2673-2679. 

EDTA is also used as a synergist to increase the activity of antioxidants, and to complex small amounts of heavy metal ions. EDTA has been frequently used to stabilize preparations of penicillins, ascorbic acid, epinephrine and prednisolone [4], Over the past 35 years, EDTA has been used to induce hypocalcaemia in cows and other species, primarily for the induction of hypocalcaemia as a model for milk fever [8]. 

The role of vitamin Din the regulation of plasma calcium levels involves complex mechanisms. Our discussion of these mechanisms begins with the concrete and vivid example of "milk fever," This example might be used as a reference point while reading through the studies on chicks, rats, and humans. 

Milk fever is a problem on the dairy farm. The disease occurs in cows whose plasma calcium levels drop below 5.0 mg /100 ml. Milk fever often results in coma and death. The disease presents when a cow has been fed a diet high in calcium prior to calving and lactation. ("Calving" means giving birth to a calf.) Alfalfa is an example of a high-caJeium food- The mother cow starts to produce milk at the lime of calving. The milk production places a sudden drain on the calcium present in the cow s plasma. This calcium must originate either from the diet or from the bones of the cow. Animals are able to dissolve or "mobilize" calcium from their own bones in times of need to maintain plasma calcium levels. 

Elmer, L. K. (1934). Switch dry cows to grass to prevent milk fever. Hoard s Dairyman 129, 415-416. 

THERAP CAT (VET) May be used intravenously in hypocal -cemic states such as milk fever. 

Examples of Vitamin D supplementation in the farming sector include poultry feed to increase egg production and the stability of egg-shells. Vitamin D serves also to prevent milk fever in cows and leg weakness in turkeys. 

Ca salt (2 1) Calcium borogluconate [5743-34-0] Used to treat hypocalcaemia in cattle (bovine milk fever). Sol. H2O. Dec. on heating. 

The metabolic acid-base balance affects the sensitivity of bone to parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. Therefore, acknowledging this when balancing the mineral content of the diet can have an effect on the incidence of milk fever. Conditions that promote an alkalotic state (high dietary cations, Na and IC ) reduce the sensitivity of bone to PTH and can limit the release of calcium. Conversely, an acidotic state (high dietary anions, CP and S ) increases the sensitivity to PTH, increases 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol production and hence increases the calcium supply. Through these metabolic responses, manipulation of the acid-base balance in the diet of the pre-calving cow has been successful in reducing the incidence of milk fever. 

Rickets, osteomalacia, thin eggshells, milk fever... 

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