What is the scientific term for milk fever?

The scientific term for milk fever is "Parturient Paresis." This condition typically occurs in dairy cows around the time of calving and is characterized by a sudden onset of paralysis and muscle weakness, primarily due to a sharp drop in blood calcium levels. The term "Parturient" refers to the cow's state of giving birth, while "Paresis" indicates a partial loss of motor function.

Understanding that milk fever is closely associated with the calcium demands of lactation provides insight into its underlying causes. During late pregnancy, cows have increased calcium requirements for milk production, and if dietary calcium is inadequate or if the body fails to properly mobilize calcium stores from the bones, it can result in milk fever. Recognizing "Parturient Paresis" as the scientific term captures both the timing and the physiological aspects of the disorder.

In contrast, while hypocalcemia accurately describes the low calcium condition and is often used in a broader sense, it does not specifically refer to the condition occurring around parturition. The term "Cowside Collapse" is more colloquial and lacks the scientific specificity needed. "Calcium Deficiency Syndrome" loosely describes the consequences of low calcium but does not carry the established scientific terminology that