Calcium Metabolism in Hypocalcemic Cows with Myocardial Lesion

Abstract

This paper deals with blood levels of calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus, parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in 6 cows treated for milk fever. Four of the cows stood within 1 day after Ca therapy, whereas 2 other cases showed an unsatisfactory response to Ca therapy and did not rise. The necropsy revealed microscopic necrotic myocardial lesions scattered in the heart of these 2 unrecovered cows. The degree of hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia were similar in the 6 cows. However, the recovery from hypophosphatemia was markedly delayed in the cows with an unsatisfactory response.