The effect of subcutaneous injection of calcium borogluconate on serum levels of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in newly calved cows

We assessed the levels of serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) during the postpartum hours in adult Holstein-Friesian cows who received subcutaneous calcium borogluconate (CBG) post-calving. Fifteen cows were fed a 3-week close-up ration containing 63 g/day Ca and 40 g/day P, with a dietary cation–anion difference of 335 meq/kg DM. Within 30 min after calving, seven cows were injected 200 ml of a 40% CBG solution (6 g of Ca) subcutaneously and 8 cows were considered as controls. All cows were sampled from the jugular vein at calving time (before injection) and at hours 4 and 12 post-calving. Sera were analysed for Ca, P and Mg. In the experiment group, serum Ca remained almost constant within the physiologic limit (2.00–2.63 mmol/l) while the control group showed a linear decrease ( P