Haemato-biochemical changes in cows fed on rations supplemented with anionic salts and it’s therapeutic efficacy in management of milk fever

In this study eighteen animals were engaged for therapeutic trial with three groups (Group 1; Control, Group 2; Mixture of Ammonium Chloride & Calcium Sulphate at 1:1 ratio and Group 3; Commercial salts preparation, Hyporid™) containing 6 animals each. The efficacy of various anionic salt preparations was determined on the basis of haemato-biochemical changes, improvement in Body Condition Score (BCS), Dry matter Intake (DMI), Urine pH & incidence of milk fever after calving. In this therapeutic trial DCAD concentration (+25.22 mEq/ 100 g of DM) and incidence of milk fever (33.33%-2/6) was high in Group 1 as compared to Group 2 & Group 3. DCAD level was negative in both the Group 2 (-11.44 mEq/100 g of DM) and Group 3 (-8.26 mEq /100 g of DM) after adding anionic salts preparation (NH₄CL + CaSO₄) and Hyporid™, respectively. Incidence of Milk Fever was 0% (0/6) in both the Group 1 and Group 2. Better haemato-biochemical status was reported in both Group 2 and Group 3 compared to Group 1. Higher Urine pH was found in Group 1 compared to Group 2 & Group 3 on day -14 (7.73), +2 (8.25), +30 (7.77). On day +2 urine pH was more alkaline in case of Group 1 whereas in Group 2 and Group 3 urine pH was acidic i.e. 6.33 & 6.60, respectively. As regards to of BCS & DMI is concerned, there was gradual improvement in Group 2 and Group 3 from 14 days before calving to 30 days after calving.