Parturient pareses is a medical condition associated with sheep who have recently given birth. The word is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription of /pɑr.tjʊə.ri.ənt pər.ˈi.siz/. The initial "p" sound is followed by "a" as in "father." The "r" sound is present twice, and then the word ends with "-ient" as in "patient." The word "pareses" itself means paralysis or weakness, while "parturient" refers to giving birth. This condition may cause muscle weakness, paralysis, or even death in female sheep.
Parturient pareses, also known as milk fever or hypocalcemia, is a condition that primarily affects dairy cows shortly after they give birth. It is characterized by a sudden drop in blood calcium levels, leading to an inability to maintain normal muscle function and causing weakness or paralysis in the affected animal. The term "parturient" refers to the period of giving birth, and "paresis" means partial paralysis.
The condition typically occurs within the first 72 hours after calving, when the cow's demand for calcium-rich milk production exceeds the amount of calcium she can mobilize from her diet or reserves. It is more commonly seen in older, high-producing dairy cows, primarily those that have had multiple pregnancies.
Signs of parturient pareses can include difficulty standing or walking, a stiff gait, muscle tremors, a decrease in appetite, and reduced milk production. If left untreated, it can progress to recumbency, where the cow is unable to stand at all.
Treatment for parturient pareses involves administering intravenous calcium solutions to rapidly raise blood calcium levels and restore normal muscle function. In some cases, oral calcium supplements may also be given. Prevention strategies include providing a balanced diet with adequate levels of calcium prior to calving and avoiding sudden changes in calcium intake.
Overall, parturient pareses is a metabolic disorder that affects dairy cows during the critical period of calving, requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment to minimize its impact on the cow's health and milk production.
The word "parturient pareses" is a medical term used to describe a condition in female animals, specifically cows, which experience weakness or paralysis after giving birth. The etymology of this term can be broken down as follows:
1. "Parturient": This word comes from the Latin term "parturire", meaning "to give birth" or "to be in labor". It is derived from the Latin root "partus", which is the past participle of "parere", meaning "to bring forth" or "to bear".
2. "Pareses": This term is the plural form of "paresis", which refers to partial paralysis or weakness in the muscles. "Paresis" itself comes from the Greek word "parēsis", meaning "letting go" or "relaxation".