Treatment and control of peri-parturient metabolic diseases: pregnancy toxemia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia

Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract. 2011 Mar;27(1):105-113. doi: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2010.10.004. Epub 2010 Dec 3.

Abstract

The paper reviews treatment and control of pregnancy toxaemia, hypocalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia, the important peri-parturient diseases of small ruminants. Treatment of pregnancy toxemia benefits from early instigation, ie, upon timely diagnosis and is based on administration of energy sources to sick animals. Removal of fetuses, by induced parturition or caesarean section, should also be carried out. Individual cases within a farm require close monitoring of other animals and measures to avoid development of further clinical cases. Treatment of hypocalcemia is based on administration of calcium solution. Finally, hypomagnesemic animals need urgent treatment with calcium and magnesium solutions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / blood
  • Female
  • Goat Diseases / blood
  • Goat Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Goats
  • Hypocalcemia / blood
  • Hypocalcemia / complications
  • Hypocalcemia / prevention & control
  • Hypocalcemia / veterinary*
  • Magnesium / blood
  • Magnesium Deficiency / blood
  • Magnesium Deficiency / complications
  • Magnesium Deficiency / prevention & control
  • Magnesium Deficiency / veterinary*
  • Peripartum Period
  • Pregnancy
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases / blood
  • Sheep Diseases / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Magnesium
  • Calcium