Milk fever, a threat to dairy business

A worker milks a cow at Kisii Agricultural Training Center. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Last weekend I travelled upcountry to visit my folks. It happened that "Esther" one of our dairy cows was about to give birth. We kept vigil to keep Esther company and offer assistance in case she needed help. In the wee hours of Friday morning she dropped twin female calves with ease. My mother ululated. Being the third lactation, Esther has been giving birth to bulls but this time she decided to surprise us. However, there was a twist, she lost appetite, was weak, unable to stand and was shuffling the hind feet after birth.