Effect of oral administration of a calcium chloride gel on blood mineral concentrations, parturient disorders, reproductive performance, and milk production of dairy cows with retained fetal membranes
Hernandez, J.; Risco, C.A.; Elliott, J.B.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 215(1): 72-76
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 10397069 Document Number: 503241
A randomised field trial was carried out to assess the effect of oral administration of CaCl2 gel (approximately 54 g of calcium per treatment) on blood mineral concentrations, parturient disorders, reproductive performance, and milk production of dairy cows with retained fetal membranes (RFM). 20 cows that calved normally and were not treated with CaCl2 gel (group 1), 20 cows with RFM that were treated with CaCl2 gel (group 2) 24 and 48 h after parturition, and 20 cows with RFM that were not treated with CaCl2 gel (group 3) were used in the study. Administration of CaCl2 gel after parturition did not have a significant effect on serum normalized calcium, total calcium, magnesium, or phosphorus concentrations or on incidence of metritis or left abomasal displacement, days to first insemination, pregnancy status after first insemination or milk production.