⚠️ Not veterinary advice. This guide is for education on minor issues only. If you are unsure, or your animal is in pain, call your veterinarian. In an emergency, call immediately.

Milk fever / ketosis around calving/kidding in cows and goats

Should I call the vet?

Typical signs: Wobbly, cold ears, weak or down near birth (milk fever); off feed, sweet breath (ketosis).

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Call your vet now if you see

Down and can't rise
Bloating while down
Seizures

What you can do

Call vet NOW for down animals — IV calcium is time-critical.
Keep animal sternal (on chest), not flat.
For ketosis: vet may advise oral propylene glycol.

When to call the vet

Immediately for a down animal.

Normal adult vital signs (at rest)

Cow

Vital	Normal	Concerning
Temperature	100.4–102.8 °F	Over 103.5 °F or under 100 °F
Heart rate	48–84 /min (calves 100–120)	Over 100 at rest (adult)
Respiration	26–50 /min	Labored, open-mouth, grunting
Rumen	1–2 contractions/min	None, or left side swollen
Cud chewing	Chews cud ~8 h/day	Stopped chewing cud
Hydration	Skin tent < 2 s; eyes not sunken	Sunken eyes, skin tents > 4 s

Goat

Vital	Normal	Concerning
Temperature	101.5–103.5 °F	Over 104 °F or under 100 °F
Heart rate	70–90 /min	Over 110 at rest
Respiration	12–20 /min (higher in heat)	Open-mouth breathing
Rumen	1–2 contractions/min (left side)	None, or left side tight like a drum
FAMACHA (eyelid)	Red–pink (score 1–2)	Pale pink/white (4–5) = anemia
Manure	Firm pellets	Diarrhea, clumps, none

Young animals differ. Learn each animal's healthy baseline and record it.

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