Parturient Paresis. III. A Study of Various Blood Constituents at Parturition in Mastectomized Cows

Abstract

Summary The serum calcium and magnesium, and the plasma phosphorus and fat levels have been determined for 5 days prepartum, three times on the day of parturition, and 5 days postpartum for eight parturitions of five mastectomized and five parturitions of five intact cows. Data are presented showing a greater, more consistent decline in the serum calcium and plasma fat of the intact cows than the mastectomized cows. Serum magnesium levels increased in the cows calving with intact udders and showed no appreciable change in the mastectomized cows. Plasma phosphorus levels showed a drop in both groups of cows.