Metabolic parameters and dry matter intake of ewes treated with butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin in the early postpartum period

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin injection on the dry matter intake and metabolic parameters of early postpartum ewes. Eighteen pregnant ewes (Texel breed) were divided into two experimental groups, at calving day: (1) Treatment Group (BTC Group; n = 9), which received 3 injections of butaphosphan (1000 mg) and cyanocobalamin (0.5 mg) combination, every two days after calving (day 0-4 postpartum); and (2) Control Group (CTL Group; n = 9), which received injections of saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) in the same way that the BTC Group. Blood samples were collected once a day, from day 1 to day 7 postpartum to determine concentrations of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), acetone, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). The dry matter intake was higher (P = 0.023) in the BTC group (2.9 ± 0.2 vs. 2.0 ± 0.2 kg/day) while the NEFA concentration in this group was lower (0.47 ± 0.02 vs. 0.56 ± 0.02 mmol/L, P = 0.006). The acetone blood concentration decreased on the BTC group (P = 0.068) in the first week after calving (3.16 ± 0.34 mg/dL and 4.05 ± 0.33 mg/dL BTC and CTL group, respectively). The glucose and phosphorus concentration of the BTC group were higher (P = 0.027 and P < 0.001, respectively) than in the CTR group. The calcium and BHB concentrations decreased after calving in all ewes, but were not different between groups. In conclusion, butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin injections in the early postpartum period in ewes improved the energetic status and had an orexigenic effect.