VetInsight Pakistan

1. Introduction Milk fever is one of the most important metabolic disorders in dairy cattle, especially in older, high milk-yielding dairy cows [1, 6]. Unlike small animal eclampsia , milk fever in cattle is accompanied by progressive flaccid paralysis rather than tetany . However, subclinical hypocalcemia , where the cow is standing but has low blood calcium levels, is more prevalent and is often accompanied by other diseases such as displaced abomasum , ketosis , and retained placenta [2, 10]. 2. Pathogenesis:  The Calcium GapLactation demands that the cow mobilizes 20-30 grams of calcium daily, while her total blood calcium pool is only 3 grams [2, 4]. •Homeostatic Failure To overcome the calcium deficit, the cow has to mobilize more calcium from her bones and intestine. This is done with the help of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) and Vitamin D . •Risk Factors High amounts of potassium in the feed, which cause metabolic alkalosis , make PTH receptors insensitive, effectively 'lockin...

 Introduction Mastitis is the inflammation of the mammary gland (udder), which is often caused by infections from bacteria. According to the studies, it is the most expensive disease in the world mostly of the dairy industry due to the costs of discarded milk, treatment, and the early culling of good productive cows. 2. Clinical vs. Subclinical Mastitis Clinical Mastitis:  The signs are enlarged udder, clots or blood in milk, and fever in the cow. Subclinical Mastitis:  The most dangerous form. The milk appears normal, but the cow has a high Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and lower milk fat. It can only be detected through screening tests. 3. Pathogens Involved The most common bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus (often leads to chronic cases), Streptococcus agalactiae , and environmental coliforms like E. coli (associated with unhygienic practices). 4. Diagnostic Tools ​California Mastitis Test (CMT):  A bedside/farm-side test to detect subclinical cases by observi...