Another common cause is failure to provide a cow with a maternity pen or paddock that is clean and comfortable and that can provide good footing at the time of calving. This condition is very difficult to treat. Prevention of downer cows is preferable to the loss of milk income and valuable genetic makeup and to the cost of medicine and veterinary care. It is also preferable to the pain and stress that may be experienced by cows that are down. At calving time, the cow's requirement for blood calcium increases greatly and suddenly as the udder fills with colostrum.
Calcium is important for muscle function.
When blood calcium levels are low, the leg muscles become weak and the cow is unable to rise or stand. Although most cows respond to calcium treatment, some do not. Cows with milk fever are at greater risk of injury and mastitis. Prevention of Milk Fever To prevent milk fever, producers need to feed dry cows adequate amounts of minerals and vitamins daily in a properly balanced ration. The ration should be formulated based on analysis of the forages fed.