Milk fever,Ca bolus

[it's not over]

A calcium bolus contains 10 times more calcium than a bottle contains but is it sufficient to get a cow up which is down with milk fever. I always put a bottle in the vein to get them up quick just incase the bolus is not enough, thoughts please, seems to be milk fever season here with cows calving on grass with no buffer feeding of silage yet as nothing housed and as the weather is good,nothing housed to October possibly

 

[Beef farmer]

Mag in the water?

 

[Princess Pooper]

A calcium bolus contains 10 times more calcium than a bottle contains but is it sufficient to get a cow up which is down with milk fever. I always put a bottle in the vein to get them up quick just incase the bolus is not enough, thoughts please, seems to be milk fever season here with cows calving on grass with no buffer feeding of silage yet as nothing housed and as the weather is good,nothing housed to October possibly

Can't comment as don't use the boluses but I suspect your grass has too much potash in it.

 

[In the pit]

Boluses take 24 hrs to work
Put bottle under skin to cover first 24 hrs then boluses will kick in

 

[Water Wheel]

My post from the bolus thead-

Use Bovikalc here ,not 100% but worth using.

Old, high risk cows 1 when they first show signs of calving, then 2 or even 3 more at 12 or 24 hr. intervals after calving.
Lower risk 1 post calving.
First and second calvers ,nothing.

Has massively reduced clinical milk fever and use of bottles. My understanding is they only give about 12 hours cover.
We do put Mag in water for 3 weeks prior to calving.

Never tryed a bolus on a cow which is down , always gone for a bottle ( No. 5 40% ) always wondered about chocking if they are down.
If you are getting alot then try a bolus before calving,, but not too long before.

 

[Water Wheel]

From Bovicak website

https://www.bi-vetmedica.com/species/cattle/products/Bovikalc.html

"Safety Information

• BOVIKALC should not be used for initial treatment of milk fever.
• Do not use BOVIKALC for cows lying down or showing signs of milk fever."

 

[Barmyfarmer]

mag flakes have been an absolute revolution for me, calved some very old cows recently and not had any bother, just going to go and touch numerous pieces of wood

 

[easy farming]

A calcium bolus contains 10 times more calcium than a bottle contains but is it sufficient to get a cow up which is down with milk fever. I always put a bottle in the vein to get them up quick just incase the bolus is not enough, thoughts please, seems to be milk fever season here with cows calving on grass with no buffer feeding of silage yet as nothing housed and as the weather is good,nothing housed to October possibly

If they are already down it is probably too late for the bolus. As already said mag flakes in water a good prevention, bolus 12- 24 hours before calving if you can be that accurate, we only feed hay in the calving pen.
Have started using the boluses from G Shepherd quite a bit cheaper that Bovikalc and we didn't find a noticeable difference other than they can shatter if they hit concrete when dropped.

 

[Martyn]

What rate of mag flakes to people use in a 150l trough? Iv never used them befor and don't have many issues with MF but if it prevents the odd one I'm up for trying it.

 

[Beef farmer]

100grams cow day. Make sure only 1 water source

 

[Martyn]

100grams cow day. Make sure only 1 water source

Does it make the water bitter or anything, if it's over done any reverse effects?

 

[Martyn]

100grams cow day. Make sure only 1 water source

Also is it ok if 6 week off drys are all mixed in with current calving cows, long term use have any effect, or is just two week pre calving?

 

[Beef farmer]

Also is it ok if 6 week off drys are all mixed in with current calving cows, long term use have any effect, or is just two week pre calving?

Weve 1 dry group now so...... dont know

Makes the water bitter.

 

[Beef farmer]

Weve got a 10% mag block in the paddock too. They nail that. So do the badgers I guess tho

 

[Beef farmer]

If that runs out, 48 hours later we get retained cleansing

 

[easy farming]

What rate of mag flakes to people use in a 150l trough? Iv never used them befor and don't have many issues with MF but if it prevents the odd one I'm up for trying it.

We block calve so just put bag in trough and stab it with knife a few times.