Milk fever controls: comparison of 1-alpha and vitamin D3 in conjunction with induced parturition.

The efficacies of vitamin D3 and its 1-alpha hydroxyl derivative (1-alpha) in controlling clinical milk fever, hypocalcaemia and hypophosphataemia in parturient cows have been compared. A corticosteroid was used in some cases to optimise and control the interval between prophylactic treatment and parturition. Our observations suggest that the combination of 1-alpha and corticosteroid was particularly valuable and could be used in the development of a successful prophylactic regime. This conclusion is supported by both clinical and biochemical measurements.