A 6-year-old Holstein cow is found down 18 hours after calving. She is tachycardic, cool to the touch, with a flaccid S-curve of the neck and no rumen contractions.
Which treatment should be started immediately?
- A Oral propylene glycol
- B Slow IV calcium borogluconate with cardiac auscultation
Correct. Classic periparturient hypocalcemia — give calcium slowly and listen to the heart throughout for arrhythmia.
- C IV hypertonic saline bolus
- D Intramuscular dexamethasone