common diseases of dairy cattle calving disorders early lactation pitfalls everyday problems

Common Diseases of Dairy Cattle

• Calving Disorders

• Early Lactation Pitfalls

• Everyday Problems

Calving Disorders

• Dystocia

• Paralysis

• Prolapsed Uterus

• Retained Placenta

• Metritis

• Milk fever

Calving DisordersDystocia

• WhatDifficulty with calving

• WhenNo progress after calf in the birth canal

• WhyCalf not presented properly

Large calf

Twins

Milk fever


• Diagnosis Vaginal Exam

Must recognize proper presentations

Front- 2 front legs, head

Rear- 2 rear legs

“Spine to spine”

ALWAYS clean before examination


• Treatment Assisted pulling

Correct problems in presentation

Consider veterinary help-especially if something feels unusual


• Prevention Breed heifers of proper size

Calving ease bulls

Frequent observation- better to check cow and ask for unecessary help than have a dead cow

Always check for second calf

Calving DisordersCalving Paralysis

• WhatCow has nerve and muscle damage from

trauma of calving

• WhenAfter calf is pulled

• WhyCalf not presented properly

Large calf

Calving too long a time periuod


• Diagnosis History of hard calving

Cow is usually alert, eating, drinking

Normal temperature

Be careful of more serious problems

• TreatmentTincture of time

Lifting

Anti-inflammatory agents

Treatment


• Prevention Avoid dystocias

Know when to call veterinarian

Usually if hadn’t made any progress in 30 minutes of assistance

Calving DisordersProlapsed Uterus

• WhatCow has pushed uterus outside body-

“inside out”

• WhenAfter calf is pulled out

• WhyDystocia

Large calf

Milk Fever


• Diagnosis Usually within hours after calving

Uterus laying on ground behind cow

• TreatmentCall veterinarian immediately

Provide clean area, feedsacks, sheets to help lift uterus

Antibacterials



Treat milk fevers promptly

Calving DisordersRetained Placenta

• WhatCow has fetal membranes still attached to

uterus-partly outside the cow

• WhenAfter calving- at least 12 hours later

• WhyDystocia

Milk Fever

Twins

Retained Fetal MembranesWhat is Normal?

• 50 Citations in Literature from 1979 to 1995– Lactational Incidence Rates Ranged

from 1.3% to 39.2%– Median LIR was 8.6%

Kelton, et al., 1998. JDS 81:2502

Calving DisordersRetained Uterus

• Diagnosis “Cow didn’t clean”

Wait 12 hours after calving

• TreatmentNothing - if metritis isn’t present

Remove suspended membranes

Lutalyse- consult veterinarian

Calving DisordersRetained Placenta


Prevent milk fever

Well balanced dry cow rations

ECP- consult veterinarian

Calving DisordersMetritis

• WhatAn infection of the uterus that has actually

invaded into tissue

• WhenUsually observed within 2 weeks after

calving

• WhyDystocia

Twins

Retained placenta

MetritisWhat is Normal?

• 43 Citations in Literature from 1979 to 1995– Lactational Incidence Rate Ranged


Kelton, et al., 1998. JDS 81:2502


• Diagnosis Vaginal discharge - foul smelling

Cow may have fever, off feed

• TreatmentMore severe cases require antibacterials

Lutalyse

Consult veterinarian for protocol



Prevent milk fever

Well balanced dry cow rations

Prevent retained placentas

PHYSICAL EXAMS of cows for 7 to 10 days after calving

Calving DisordersMilk Fever

• WhatHypocalcemia- low calcium in blood

• WhenUsually observed within 2 days after

calving-can occur before calving

• WhyCows 3rd lactation or greater

Rapid synthesis of milk into udder, drains calcium from blood

Serum Calcium Levels at Parturition

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Days from Parturition

Ser

um

Ca

(mg

/dl)

Normal

Hypocalcemia

Milk Fever

Goff, 1999. DHM 36(11):29

Milk FeverWhat is Normal?

• 33 Citations in Literature from 1979to 1995– Lactational Incidence Rates Ranged


Kelton, et al., 1998. JDS 81:2502


• Diagnosis No fever- or low body temperature

Cow down- early may be staggering

Off feed, no manure

Glazed eyes, “S” bend in neck

Be careful of other problems

• TreatmentCalcium IV, subcutaneous

Must be careful of overdosing


• Prevention Early detection while cow still standing

Well balanced ration, especially before calving

Early Lactation PitfallsDisplaced Abomasum

• WhatAbomasum in wrong place of abdomen-

“DA”

• WhenUsually within 60 days after calving-can

occur anytime

• WhyCows that go off feed

Any previous health problem

LDAWhat is Normal?



Kelton, et al., 1998. JDS 81:2502


• Diagnosis“Ping” heard on side of abdomen

Off feed

Ketosis

• TreatmentSurgery


• PreventionBalanced ration with fiber

Balanced ration for transition cows

Prevent causes of cows going off-feed

Early Lactation PitfallsKetosis

• WhatCow in low energy balance

Burns off fat so fast creates “ketones” in blood

• WhenUsually within 30 days after calving

• WhyLow body condition

Any other cause for going off-feed

KetosisWhat is Normal?



Kelton, et al., 1998. JDS 81:2502


• Diagnosis“Smell” of acetone on breath

Keto-stick turns purple in urine

Off feed

• TreatmentDextrose IV

Propylene glycol drench

Glucocorticoids

Consult veterinarian for protocol


• PreventionBalanced ration for all stages of lactation

cycle- including dry cows

Maintain proper body condition for all stages of lactation cycle

Prevent other diseases

Early Lactation PitfallsOther Diseases

• Rumen acidosis

• Abomasal Ulcers

• Fatty Liver

• All require veterinary assistance in diagnosis/prevention

Everday ProblemsMastitis

• WhatInfection of the udder

Most likely to treat clinical mastitis

Can be mild to severe

• WhenUsually lactating cows

• WhyPoor milking technique

Unclean cow housing

Clinical MastitisWhat is Normal?



• Michigan study suggested 1-2 % of cows each month is a good goal

Kelton, et al., 1998. JDS 81:2502

Everyday Problems Mastitis

• DiagnosisAbnormal milk

Swollen quarter

Cow may be off feed, fever

Off feed

• TreatmentConsult veterinarian

Antibacterials

Supportive care

Everyday Problems Mastitis

• PreventionImportant to keep records

Culture of milk samples

Proper milking technique

Maintain clean, dry, comfortable cows

Everday ProblemsPneumonia

• WhatInfection of the respiratory tract-lungs

• WhenAnytime

Usually after new arrivals

Rapid weather changes

• WhyLack of immunity (vaccination)

Poor ventilation/housing

Everyday Problems Pneumonia

• DiagnosisFever

Labored breathing/sounds

Depression

Off feed

• TreatmentConsult veterinarian

Antibacterials

Supportive care

Everyday Problems Pneumonia

• PreventionImportant to keep records

Vaccination program

Biosecurity program

Maintain well-ventilated, dry housing

Everday ProblemsLameness

• WhatInfection or injury of feet or legs

• WhenAnytime

• WhyFoot rot

Heel warts

Punctures

Rumen acidosis/laminitis “founder”

Everyday Problems Lameness

• DiagnosisCow with limp

Standing / walking with “humped back”

Must examine foot

• TreatmentConsult veterinarian-antibacterials

Foot trimming/bandages

Everyday Problems Lameness

• PreventionRegular foot trimming

Foot baths

Well designed stalls for cows

Well balanced rations

Everday ProblemsEnteritis

• WhatInfection of intestinal tract

Can be acute (winter dysentery) or

Chronic (Johne’s)

• WhenAnytime

Everday ProblemsEnteritis

• WhyFeed changes

Salmonella

Winter dysentery

Parasites (younger animals)

BVD

Johne’s disease

Everyday Problems Enteritis

• DiagnosisOff feed

Diarrhea

Weight loss

Blood or fecal tests

• TreatmentConsult veterinarian-

Everyday Problems Enteritis

• PreventionVaccination (BVD)

Strict biosecurity

Sanitation

Clean feed handling

Separatiuon of calves from cows

Culling

Gradual feed changes

Everday ProblemsHardware

• WhatForeign object (metal) in digestive tract

• WhenAnytime

• WhyCows swallow nails, wire

Causes punctures in digestive tract

Liver abcesses

Heart damage

Everyday Problems Hardware

• DiagnosisOff feed

Often normal to dry manure

Arched back

Usually no fever

Diarrhea

• TreatmentConsult veterinarian-antibacterials

Magnet

Everyday Problems Hardware

• PreventionCareful of needles, tools, wire, nails

around farm

Magnets to all heifers?

Goals and Objectives of 100-Day Contract

• Protect Fresh Cows from Pathogens via Sanitation and Vaccination

• “Temp” All Fresh Cows Daily for 10 Days Post-Calving and Treat Appropriately

• Use ECP® Sterile Solution on Problem Cows to Keep Uterus Sensitive to Oxytocin

• Prevent Toxic Metritis

Fresh Period

Fresh Period

Goals and Objectives of 100-Day Contract

• Keep Cows on Feed Following Calving

• Early Identification Problems– Day One if Possible

• Develop Standard Operating Procedures

• Return to Positive Energy Balance by 45 Days in Milk

Components of 100-Day Contract

• Clean Calving EnvironmentClean Calving Environment

• Third Upjohn J-5 Bacterin within Two Third Upjohn J-5 Bacterin within Two Weeks of CalvingWeeks of Calving

• Body Condition Score at CalvingBody Condition Score at Calving

• Daily Monitoring of Each Cow for First 10 Daily Monitoring of Each Cow for First 10 Days after CalvingDays after Calving

• Administer Supportive Therapy as NeededAdminister Supportive Therapy as Needed

Fresh Period

10 Day Postpartum Monitoring Program

• Involves evaluating each fresh cow every day for 10 days.– Observe Attitude of Cow– Rectal temperature (>103.0°F.)– Sick, “Off feed”

• Ketosis• Displaced Abomasum• Physical exam for other diseases

Dr. Lynn Upham, Bovine Proceedings, September, 1996

10 Day Postpartum Monitoring Program

• Practical approach to managing uterine health with 2 major goals:– Maximize potential milk yield by keeping cows

“on feed” (pick up and diagnose problems early!)

– Aid future reproduction by stimulating rapid uterine involution

Fresh Cow Monitoring System

Flow Chart

Normal

Normal

1) 10 Day PP Monitoring

Fever Sick/"Off Feed"

Normal

"Abnormal"1) 10 Day PP Monitoring2) ECP® Sterile Solution, 2 cc. IM3) LUTALYSE® Sterile Solution, 1 ds. (14-28 days PP)

Fresh Cow

Fever Sick/"Off Feed"

“Abnormal” Fresh Cow

• Assisted Calving - If chains/baling twine are used or if vulva is entered.

• Twins

• Dead Calves

• Milk Fever

• Retained Placenta

Fresh Cow Program

No treatment

Antibiotic ECP® (4 mg - if not

given day one)PREDEF® 2X (20 mg once)

Supportive Rx as needed

PREDEF® 2X (20 mg once)

Supportive Rx as needed

Normal Fever +/- Off-feed Off-feed; no fever

Day One Problem Cows

ECP® (4 mg once)

10-Day EvaluationTemperature andPhysical Exam

LUTALYSE®

Clean-UpDay 14-21

LUTALYSE®

Clean-UpDay 14-21

Why ?

ECP® (Estradiol cypionate) -- day one• Very low dose (4mg)

– Effects last 5-7 days– Keeps uterus sensitive to oxytocin – Improved neutrophil function ?

ECP® (estradiol cypionate)

• All “abnormal” cows receive 2 cc IM as soon as possible after calving.

• Purpose:– Increases uterine contractions; keeps the uterus “sensitive”

to oxytocin– Increases uterine blood supply– Activates neutrophils

• When:– Early postpartum – May repeat in seven days– Do not use after 14 days

Why?

Temperature monitoring– GLA thermometers

– Early warning

– More effective treatment

– Improved Animal Welfare!

Why?

Antibiotic Treatment– Broad-spectrum systemic

– Fever of unknown origin

– Treating metritis

What Can We Give These Cows Day One to Keep Them From Becoming Toxic Metritis

Day 5-10 ?

Calcium ?

Oxytocin ?

Estrogens ?

Antibiotics ?

Parasite Control

Parasite Is an organism that makes its living at

the expense of another

Parasite Control

Ectoparasites

Flies, lice, ticks

Endoparasites

Nematodes (worms)

Protozoans (coccidia, cryptosporidia)

Parasite Control

Ectoparasites (Flies, lice, ticks)

Can cause loss of production

More important as carriers (vectors) of disease

• Pink eye, Lyme disease, blue tongue, anaplasmosis

Control by topical insectisides

• Eprinex, Ivomec (not for lactating cows)

Parasite Control

Endoparasites- Nematodes

Most critical for younger animals

Have to be ingested from pasture

Most infective during warm, wet weather

Can cause weight loss

Control by deworming at strategic times of year- summer, fall

Parasite Control

Endoparasites- Protozoans

Most critical for younger animals

Have to be ingested from contaminated feed, feeders, bedding

Can cause weight loss-severe diarrhea

Control by cleaning feeding equipment

Coccidiostats in feed , e.g. ionophores for heifers > 3 mos of age

common diseases of dairy cattle calving disorders early lactation pitfalls everyday problems

Documents