25-Hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD3) I. Treatment for Parturient Paresis

Abstract

Eleven cows were given .5 to 2.0 mg 25-hydroxycholecalciferol intravenously when first observed down with parturient paresis. Six of the 11 cows recovered in 13 h (range, 3 to 24 h) post-treatment. Two of the five cows which did not recover within 24 h after treatment were not hypocalcemic. One had obturator nerve paralysis while the other died from acute pulmonary emphysema. Two of the three hypocalcemic nonrecovery cows developed complications. At the time of treatment, serum calcium and phosphorus were highest in the fast recovery (recovery<12 h) group. Recovery times greater than 12 h or nonrecovery were accompanied by lower serum calcium and phosphorus. The prolonged recovery time and the possibility of complications while down preclude the use of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol as a single treatment. In a field study of 125 dairy cows, attempts to reduce the relapse rate by giving 1.0 mg 25-hydroxycholecalciferol immediately before administration of calcium borogluconate were unsuccessful. Relapse rate was nearly equal between gr.;ups, 22.0% with calcium alone and 22.8% with calcium plus 25-hydroxycholecalciferol. © 1973, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.