Efficacy of an innovative product based on zeolite in the prevention of parturient paresis in dairy cattle

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to develop a versatile and easily applicable product for dairy cows, based on zeolite (Zeolites Development SRL, Rupea, Romania), for the prevention of hypocalcemic parturient paresis. The study was performed in an intensive dairy farm, on a total of 180 Holstein cows, 5 to 7 years of age, with an average milk production of over 8000 liters/lactation. Two zeolite porosities (P1=0.4 nm and P2=0.6 nm), two doses of zeolite (D1=25 g/kg forage, D2=10 g/kg forage) and two time intervals for administration (T1=starting 2 weeks before parturition and continuing for 60 days after parturition, T2=starting 2 months before parturition and continuing for 60 days after parturition) were tested, in all possible combinations. Blood tests were performed before the beginning of the experiment, one week before parturition, the day of parturition (onset of lactation), 48 hours and 7 days later, as well as in peak lactation, approximately 2 months after parturition. Administration of zeolite had a positive effect on all dairy cow groups, regarding their health status, parturient paresis prevention and fluctuation of blood biochemical parameters. The incidence of parturient paresis decreased more or less significantly in the experimental groups, as compared to the control group, which also corelated with the results of blood biochemistry. The average calcium blood level was normal in all groups before the beginning of the experiments and showed a tendency to decrease at the time of parturition. The decrease was higher in the control group as compared to the experimental groups, which was confirmed by the highest number of clinical cases of parturient paresis for this group. Two months after parturition, the calcium blood level was restored to normal in all cows. The recommended administration protocol for parturient paresis prevention is 20 g zeolite (0.4-0.6 nm porosity)/kg forage, starting two weeks before parturition and continuing until 60 days after parturition.