Osteoporosis, also known as osteomalacia, is a chronic systemic disease caused by calcium and phosphorus metabolism disorder in adult cattle, mainly affecting newly purchased dairy cows, especially those in late pregnancy or shortly after calving. Here's how to prevent osteoporosis in dairy cows in spring:
Symptoms
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Thinness, sunken eye sockets, depression, low or normal body temperature, loss of appetite, and reduced rumination;
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Significant reduction in milk production, with some affected cows producing only 1.5 kilograms of milk per day;
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Most cases also present varying degrees of symptoms such as dyspnea or rumen stasis;
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Some cows sweat on their backs or all over their bodies after milking, and some show abnormal cravings, such as eating plastic products, bricks, or rubber.
Diagnosis
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Percussion of the nasal bone and frontal bone may produce hollow sounds due to osteoporosis;
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The tail vertebrae from the last 1 to 5 segments are soft like rope and can be curled without pain;
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Lameness, stiffness, dragging of hind limbs, hoof deformation, poor growth, and rolling of hooves during walking are common signs;
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The disease can be diagnosed based on clinical symptoms, epidemiology, and serological tests (serum calcium and phosphorus levels below normal).
Treatment
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For specific treatment, administer 30-60 grams of sodium dihydrogen phosphate intravenously to phosphorus-deficient cows, along with 5-10 milliliters of vitamin A and vitamin D via intramuscular injection;
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For affected cows, conduct serological tests promptly for targeted treatment and supplement vitamin A and vitamin D-rich feed. Feed 7.5-10 kilograms of radish daily;
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For cows with low calcium levels, focus on intravenously injecting 100-300 milliliters of calcium gluconate, along with 5-10 milliliters of vitamin A and vitamin D via intramuscular injection (5-7 days per course);
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If chloride deficiency is suspected due to poor-quality or insufficient salt intake, add high-quality salt appropriately;
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Ensure the appropriate ratio of calcium to phosphorus in cow feed at 2:1 or 1.8:1, and pay attention to the dosage and quality of additives to prevent poisoning;
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For cows not severely deficient in phosphorus or calcium, or those sweating excessively or exhibiting abnormal cravings after milking, feed a mixture of 250 grams of calcium carbonate, 500 grams of sodium dihydrogen phosphate, and 3500 grams of vitamin A and vitamin D mixed with 1000 kilograms of feed for 7-10 days.
Preventing osteoporosis in dairy cows in spring requires timely serological tests for affected cows for targeted and symptomatic treatment. Feed should be supplemented with feed rich in vitamin A and vitamin D according to deficiencies.
