WITH the weather getting colder and wetter, I suspect most dairy cows will now be housed.

For us this should reduce the calls to early morning milk fevers. The name is odd as the condition is actually shortage of calcium and not an infection.

The deficiency is because of the sudden need for lots of calcium for milk production. There is enough calcium in the body, but it is stored in the bones, ready for release – and it takes a couple of days to happen.

Calcium is needed for muscles to work properly, so a cow with milk fever has usually collapsed and can die. Treatment requires calcium into the vein, as under the skin can be too slow.

The result can be spectacular with cows getting to their feet rapidly. Larger cows, however, can damage their muscles in the time it takes to get up. These may need extra help with painkillers and possibly specialised lifting devices.

Milk fever is best avoided by feeding a specialised diet prior to calving.