Identify, Treat and Prevention – Six fresh cow illnesses
If it’s not one thing, it’s another; and calving down cows usually presents them all; and in combination. Why? Because they are all interrelated. The cow that gets one will likely get them all even if we are unaware of, other than the primary problem, due to their subclinical status.
Milk Fever is usually the first to be noticed, however, it can be precipitated by subclinical ketosis (low energy). It is easily diagnosed: down cow, cold ears, S-curve of the neck, muscle tremors, dry nose and manure, and rapid heart rate. When we’ve had access to rumination technology (an excellent way to pick up subclinical milk fever – low rumination/temp, both displayed on your iPhone), reduced rumination and temperature (low or high) will decide whether it is milk fever or serious infection.
Every dairy farmer knows the treatment. If using calcium packs (as opposed to 4 in 1), monitor heart rate for irregularity and slow the administration rate of the calcium treatment. Prevention firstly is springer ration DCAD discussed last month. This prevents, if urine pH is correct, virtually all clinical milk fever. Cows that still suffer clinical milk fever usually have not been eating sufficient Lead Feed grain.
Another option is oral calcium supplementation at calving. Either, bolus, paste, gel or drench. Usually the drench using a rumen tube is the most effective as it delivers by far the greater amount of calcium. A word of warning: the form of calcium in any of these products is critical. Both calcium chloride and calcium sulphate are acidogenic and can irritate throat tissue and lower pH. Calcium propionate works well but is not very palatable and works best as a drench pumped direct into the rumen. Calcium carbonate and hydroxide are insoluble. Low blood calcium will bring on every other fresh cow disease including uterine prolapse.
Retained placenta occurs when foetal membranes do not pass after 24 hours post-calving. Scenarios like long calvings, twins, premature calving and abortions, and induced cows. If a slight twist causes membrane to come away it’s okay to pull. If not, leave it alone. Low blood calcium prevents the uterus from contracting, so Oxytocin may help, or Prostaglandin if there is puss visible. Back in the ‘Eighties’ our vet used to flush any suspect cows, but this can also introduce bacteria if not done very carefully. Back then we used a product called Lugol’s Iodine, and it is still reported to be the best as it is safe and has no withholding for meat or milk.
Metritis is inflammation of the uterus and a sequel to retained placenta. Visible identification is by vaginal discharge that is reddish-brown, watery and bad smelling. Healthy discharge is pinkish, mucousy and doesn’t smell. A range of bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa make metritis more difficult to treat. Veterinary intervention is required. Prevention is most effective through good transition producing high blood calcium levels and its effectiveness in muscle tension and uterine contraction post-calving.
Mastitis is an ever present challenge, but especially to cows calving with mastitis. For herds with persistent problems using veterinary assistance to identify any prevalent pathogens is essential for a control program. All the normal things like milking machine, teat spraying including pre-milking teat spraying in herd challenges or high BMCC/subclinical mastitis. Tracks, mud etc are just good dairy practice. Dry Cow and especially Teat Seal are best practice.
Ketosis; clinical ketosis frequently puts the cow in ‘beyond the point of no return’ and is to be avoided at all costs. It is a result of negative energy balance, and from experience with blood testing, is often instigated in the dry cow phase due to inadequate energy intake – poor quality feeds, or conversely, excess energy from abundant fermentable pasture causing low feed intake post-calving (fat cows). Ketosis results from fatty liver syndrome – the liver is clogged with fat from body fat mobilisation to meet early lactation milk production.
Subclinical ketosis is far more common, and I go as far to say, most fresh cows would have subclinical ketosis. This can be verified with milk keto test strips. I have a number of clients who routinely drench every cow at calving with propylene glycol. Propylene glycol effectively gets the liver working again providing the cow with essential glucose for milk production and maintenance. Ketosis, even subclinical, will decrease pregnancy rate, increase the risk of displaced abomasum, mastitis, metritis and ovarian cysts.
Finally, displaced abomasum, a product of, perhaps the two main issues, low blood calcium and negative energy balance, which perpetuate everything else, is generally a result of decreased rumen fill simply because the cow is not well and not eating sufficient. Low blood calcium also has a more direct involvement leaving muscle tissue and ligaments weak (poor tension) adding to the problem of an abomasum filled with air from low feed intake and either move to the left (LDA) or twist on itself. Surgery is the only treatment, but for the sake of good dairy production/fertility as well, prevention is paramount.
Prevention is clearly in dry cow, springer and immediate post-calving nutrition. What Dr Gordon Jones calls; “The Goldilocks Ration” – not too much, not too little, but just right: minerals (calcium especially due to its massive requirement), energy and fibre. This is not difficult as opposed to the failure consequences. “If it’s not one thing . . . . . . “.
John Lyne is a dairy production specialist with Dairytech Nutrition
johnlyne@dairytechnutrition.com.au
