Changes of acid-base and certain metabolic parameters of newborn calves and their dams after calving

Abstract

Parturition and the periparturient period are stressful on both the dam and the calf. These changes in acid-base status and metabolic parameters can predispose the dam and the calf to disease and may even lead to death. It is therefore important to recognise the changes that occur at this time in order to prevent disease and death in both the dam and the calf. The aim of this project was to investigate how the acidbase status and metabolic parameters of the dam and the calf change in the first 72 hours postpartum and if parity affects the status of either the dam or the calf. Newborn calves of primiparous heifers were found to have an increased acidosis in comparison to newborn calves of multiparous cows. This difference was corrected without treatment within 12 hours postpartum. However, this difference was not evident in the dams with no significant difference in the acid-base status between the primiparous and multiparous cows. There were no significant differences overall in the metabolic status of the calves of the primiparous and multiparous dams or between the primiparous and multiparous dams.