Composition and method for reducing risk of hypocalcemia in periparturient ruminant animals

A method of reducing risk of periparturient hypocalcemia in at least one periparturient ruminant animal, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) measuring a blood phosphorus (P) concentration in the at least one periparturient ruminant animal;
• and
• b) perorally administering to the periparturient ruminant animal during at least part of a prepartum period of the periparturient ruminant animal a composition comprising:
• i) an aluminum-based phosphorus-binding compound present in an amount sufficient to provide aluminum at a concentration of 0.2-0.75% Alu by weight of the total dry matter in the feed ration consumed by the animal, wherein the phosphorus-binding compound is selected from the group consisting of synthetic zeolites, aluminum sulfate, aluminum chloride, aluminum hydroxide, a hydrate thereof, and any mixture thereof;
• and
• ii) a pharmacologically acceptable carrier comprising one or more animal feed components other than the phosphorus-binding compound;
• wherein the feed composition provides a dietary phosphorus (P) to aluminum (Al) weight ratio in a range of 0.8:1 to 1.1:1 to control blood phosphorus concentration in the periparturient ruminant animal in a range of 2.0-3.0 mg P per dL of blood;
• wherein the phosphorus-binding compound reduces bioavailability of phosphorus in a digestive system of the periparturient ruminant animal;
• wherein the periparturient ruminant animal is a dairy cow;
• and
• wherein step a) can be performed before or after step b).