Effect of Subcutaneous Injection of Calcium Gluconate on Blood Calcium Concentration and Injection Tissue in Dairy Cattle

Abstract

Six healthy Holstein cattle (mean weight 538kg) were injected with 500ml and 1, 000ml of 20% calcium gluconate in one site on different sides of the cervical subcutis at seven-to ten-day intervals. Two to three hours after the subcutaneous injection, the blood total (tCa) and ionized Ca (iCa) concentrations had increased 0.37 and 0.20mM/L, respectively, for the 500ml injection, and 0.78 and 0.41mM/L for the 1, 000ml injection. The biopsy samples of the injection site 24 hours after injection showed mild inflammation, such as edema, hemorrhage, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Next, 1, 000ml of 20% calcium gluconate was divided into halves and injected subcutaneously into bilateral cervical sites in six multiparous Holstein cows within one to three hours of calving. The blood tCa and iCa concentration increased 0.79 and 0.34mM/L, respectively, and the significant increase persisted for 12 hours. The swelling of the injection site had almost disappeared after 12 hours. The authors believe that the injection of 1, 000ml of 20% calcium gluconate into one or two subcutaneous sites is safe and useful for the treatment of subclinical hypocalcemia in Holstein cattle.