Diagnosis and treatment programs for fresh cows

There is a large amount of excitement and uncertainty about the management and nutrition of the transition cow. A good rule of thumb is that the more ways that are proposed to do something, the less certain it is which are correct. The wide range of opinions currently held on this subject probably means that our current knowledge about why fresh cows fail and how they should be treated and managed is inadequate. There is only one treatment for milk fever, and there are only two proper positions for a calf at calving. Yet fresh cow programs are proposed that range from intensive screening and treatment, including daily temperatures and drenching every fresh cow with a large amount of fluids, to nothing.