PARTURIENT PARALYSIS (MILK FEVER) 235 



toms are uniform and plain; but some atypical cases are not 

 easily recognized. 



Prevention. — Prevention is always more satisfactory than 

 treatment. For a heavy milker, sudden changes in diet are to 

 be avoided, unless toward one lighter and more laxative just 

 before calving. It is sometimes advisable to change especially 

 susceptible cows from pasture to light, dry feed. Food should 

 be light, laxative, easily digested, and small or moderate in 

 quantity. Exercise is desirable. A mild laxative may be given 



^^^-22 



Fig. 81. — Parturient Paralysis. 



Cow very stupid. Skin has lost sensation. Head in the flank. Still later 

 stage. 



2 to 5 days before calving, one quart raw linseed oil, for ex- 

 ample. 



Allow the cow abundant exercise during the last month of 

 pregnancy, and, if she is nervous, leave the calf near her for a 

 few days. 



Usually there should be no milk drawn before calving and but 

 little removed during the first twenty-four hours afterward, 

 not more than the calf would take naturally. This precau- 

 tion is especially important as a preventive of milk fever in 

 high-type dairy cows, and is reasonably satisfactory if followed 

 with intelligence. 



Treatment. — Acute cases are liable to die in 12 to 24 hours if 

 not treated ; others may improve greatly and then relapse. Since 

 these cases require skilful treatment, and the affected animals 

 are usually valuable, stockmen should not treat them if com- 

 petent veterinary services may be had. A line of treatment is 



