PARTURIENT PARESIS IN MARATHWADI BUFFALOES AND ITS THERAPEUTIC MANAGEMENT

Parturient paresis an important production disease of high yielding dairy cows has been underreported in buffaloes. The present study highlights the occurrence of clinical parturient paresis in native Marathwadi buffaloes with clinical, haemato-biochemical and therapeutic aspects. Marathwadi buffaloes admitted to Veterinary Clinical Complex of college were screened for sings of parturient paresis-based on history and subjected to clinical, haemato-biochemical investigations. A total of nine adult Marathwadi buffaloes (6 to 10 year old) in their 3rd to 5th lactation and 2nd to 5th day of calving with daily milk yield of 5 to 10 liter/day were diagnosed with milk fever based on history, clinical signs and laboratory investigation of serum calcium. Clinical examination of ailing buffaloes showed sternal recumbency with lateral kink in neck, lateral recumbency, dry muzzles, salivation, depressed menace reflex, relaxation of anal sphincter, rectal or vaginal prolapse, subnormal body temperature, tachycardia and laboured respiration with snoring sound. Haemato-biochemical analysis showed significant decrease in lymphocyte counts while increase in granulocyte counts, significantly increased Hb and PCV indicative of haemoconcentration and marked reduction in serum calcium indicative of milk fever syndrome. Treatment with Inj. Calcium borogluconate 1 ml/kg body weight by intravenous route showed promising and rapid response to treatment with complete resolution of the clinical signs. Owing to the presence of milk fever in Marathwadi buffaloes, further studies are essential to know the prevalence of parturient paresis and formulation of dietary strategies for prevention.