Effect of oral administration of a calcium chloride gel on blood mineral concentrations, parturient disorders, reproductive performance, and milk production of dairy cows with retained fetal membranes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of oral administration of CaCl2 gel on blood mineral concentrations, parturient disorders, reproductive performance, and milk production of dairy cows with retained fetal membranes (RFM). DESIGN: Randomized field trial. ANIMALS: 20 cows that calved normally and were not treated with CaCl2 gel (group 1), 20 cows with RFM that were treated with CaCl2 gel (group 2), and 20 cows with RFM that were not treated with CaCl2 gel (group 3). PROCEDURE: Group-2 cows were treated orally with CaCl2 gel (54 g of calcium) 24 and 48 hours after parturition. RESULTS: Administration of CaCl2 gel 24 and 48 hours after parturition did not have a significant effect on serum normalized calcium, total calcium, magnesium, or phosphorus concentrations or on incidence of metritis or left displacement of the abomasum, days to first insemination, pregnancy status after first insemination, or milk production. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Administration of CaCl2 gel 24 and 48 hours after parturition did not have significant effect on blood mineral concentrations, parturient disorders, reproductive performance, and milk production in dairy cows with RFM.