6 Difference between clinical and subclinical milk fever Muscles and nerves require calcium to function properly. Depending on the severity of the calcium deficiency, cows may suffer from clinical or subclinical milk fever. Dairy cow – milk fever Prevalence Scientific studies suggest that, on average, one in ten older cows (from their third calf onwards) suffers from clinical milk fever and one in three from subclinical milk fever. Subclinical milk fever In the subclinical form of milk fever, the calcium deficiency does not cause any visible symptoms and is therefore often not recognised. Nevertheless, feed intake decreases, milk yield falls and the danger of secondary conditions increases. Clinical milk fever In clinical milk fever, the calcium deficiency is so large that the muscles fail and the cow is unable to stand up. This form of milk fever is usually diagnosed and treated by a vet, who typically administers a calcium infusion directly into the bloodstream. Study (University of Berlin, 2016): 54 per cent of the farms surveyed have no strategy for managing milk fever, i.e. they do not take any preventative measures. Among the farms that implemented milk fever prevention measures, 80 per cent administered calcium orally and 20 per cent fed acid salts. Status quo – Prevention of milk fever in Germany Feed approx. 9% acidic salts Approx. 37% administer calcium in the form of boluses or liquids Approx. 54% do not take any preventative measures
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