In the period surrounding calving, a cows’ water intake tends to fall; and when a cow calves she loses both water and salts.
Cows will lose about nearly 60 litres of fluids from the uterus when they calve, made up of blood and intra-uterine fluids (Doreau et al.,1981) in addition to extracellular fluid loss of up to 50 litres (Enemark et al. Vet Res Commun 2009). With reduced intakes and increased losses, post-calving dehydration is likely.
Benefits of re-hydrating the cow post calving
Cows will usually drink soon after calving but water alone will not replace lost electrolytes, a specifically formulated supplement will help support correct rehydration and a
quick recovery post calving.
The intake of a large volume of fluid immediately after calving filling the rumen may lead to rapid move of rumen to the lower abdominal cavity, so it can help to prevent the displacement of the abomasum (Enemark et al. Vet Res Commun 2009).
At calving the cows ability to utilise active transport of Calcium across intestinal cells is inadequate to help her maintain normal blood Ca. By supplementing the cow with large amounts of very soluble Calcium orally it is possible to force Ca across the intestinal tract by means of passive diffusion between, not across, intestinal epithelial cells (Goff.2008).
Research suggests that cows that fail to adequately consume a certain number of calories during the day or two immediately before and after calving are at greatest risk of developing ketosis/fatty liver (Goff.2006). Feeding a supplement post calving that can contribute to this requirement may help aid in the prevention of ketosis.
