Common Diseases of Dairy Cattle

1
Common Diseases of Dairy Cattle

• Calving Disorders
• Early Lactation Pitfalls
• Everyday Problems

2
Calving Disorders

• Dystocia
• Paralysis
• Prolapsed Uterus
• Retained Placenta
• Metritis
• Milk fever

3
Calving DisordersDystocia

• What
• Difficulty with calving
• When
• No progress after calf in the birth canal
• Why
• Calf not presented properly
• Large calf
• Twins
• Milk fever

4
Calving DisordersDystocia

• Diagnosis
• Vaginal Exam
• Must recognize proper presentations
• Front- 2 front legs, head
• Rear- 2 rear legs
• Spine to spine
• ALWAYS clean before examination

5
Calving DisordersDystocia

• Treatment
• Assisted pulling
• Correct problems in presentation
• Consider veterinary help-especially if something
  feels unusual

6
Calving DisordersDystocia

• 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

7
Calving DisordersCalving Paralysis

• What
• Cow has nerve and muscle damage from trauma of
  calving
• When
• After calf is pulled
• Why
• Calf not presented properly
• Large calf
• Calving too long a time periuod

8
Calving DisordersCalving Paralysis

• Diagnosis
• History of hard calving
• Cow is usually alert, eating, drinking
• Normal temperature
• Be careful of more serious problems
• Treatment
• Tincture of time
• Lifting
• Anti-inflammatory agents
• Treatment

9
Calving DisordersCalving Paralysis

• Prevention
• Avoid dystocias
• Know when to call veterinarian
• Usually if hadnt made any progress in 30 minutes
  of assistance

10
Calving DisordersProlapsed Uterus

• What
• Cow has pushed uterus outside body- inside out
• When
• After calf is pulled out
• Why
• Dystocia
• Large calf
• Milk Fever

11
Calving DisordersProlapsed Uterus

• Diagnosis
• Usually within hours after calving
• Uterus laying on ground behind cow
• Treatment
• Call veterinarian immediately
• Provide clean area, feedsacks, sheets to help
  lift uterus
• Antibacterials

12
Calving DisordersProlapsed Uterus

• Prevention
• Avoid dystocias
• Treat milk fevers promptly

13
Calving DisordersRetained Placenta

• What
• Cow has fetal membranes still attached to
  uterus-partly outside the cow
• When
• After calving- at least 12 hours later
• Why
• Dystocia
• Milk Fever
• Twins

14
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 812502
15
Calving DisordersRetained Uterus

• Diagnosis
• Cow didnt clean
• Wait 12 hours after calving
• Treatment
• Nothing - if metritis isnt present
• Remove suspended membranes
• Lutalyse- consult veterinarian

16
Calving DisordersRetained Placenta

• Prevention
• Avoid dystocias
• Prevent milk fever
• Well balanced dry cow rations
• ECP- consult veterinarian

17
Calving DisordersMetritis

• What
• An infection of the uterus that has actually
  invaded into tissue
• When
• Usually observed within 2 weeks after calving
• Why
• Dystocia
• Twins
• Retained placenta

18
MetritisWhat is Normal?

• 43 Citations in Literature from 1979 to 1995
• Lactational Incidence Rate Ranged from 2.2 to
  37.3
• Median LIR was 10.1

Kelton, et al., 1998. JDS 812502
19
Calving DisordersMetritis

• Diagnosis
• Vaginal discharge - foul smelling
• Cow may have fever, off feed
• Treatment
• More severe cases require antibacterials
• Lutalyse
• Consult veterinarian for protocol

20
Calving DisordersMetritis

• Prevention
• Avoid dystocias
• Prevent milk fever
• Well balanced dry cow rations
• Prevent retained placentas
• PHYSICAL EXAMS of cows for 7 to 10 days after
  calving

21
Calving DisordersMilk Fever

• What
• Hypocalcemia- low calcium in blood
• When
• Usually observed within 2 days after calving-can
  occur before calving
• Why
• Cows 3rd lactation or greater
• Rapid synthesis of milk into udder, drains
  calcium from blood

22
Serum Calcium Levels at Parturition
Goff, 1999. DHM 36(11)29
23
Milk FeverWhat is Normal?

• 33 Citations in Literature from 1979to 1995
• Lactational Incidence Rates Ranged from 0.03 to
  22.3
• Median LIR was 6.5

Kelton, et al., 1998. JDS 812502
24
Calving DisordersMilk Fever

• 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
• Treatment
• Calcium IV, subcutaneous
• Must be careful of overdosing

25
Calving DisordersMilk Fever

• Prevention
• Early detection while cow still standing
• Well balanced ration, especially before calving

26
Common Diseases of Dairy Cattle

• Calving Disorders
• Early Lactation Pitfalls
• Everyday Problems

27
Early Lactation PitfallsDisplaced Abomasum

• What
• Abomasum in wrong place of abdomen- DA
• When
• Usually within 60 days after calving-can occur
  anytime
• Why
• Cows that go off feed
• Any previous health problem

28
LDAWhat is Normal?

• 22 Citations in Literature from 1979 to 1995
• Lactational Incidence Rate Ranged from 0.3 to
  6.3
• Median LIR was 1.7

Kelton, et al., 1998. JDS 812502
29
Early Lactation PitfallsDisplaced Abomasum

• Diagnosis
• Ping heard on side of abdomen
• Off feed
• Ketosis
• Treatment
• Surgery

30
Early Lactation PitfallsDisplaced Abomasum

• Prevention
• Balanced ration with fiber
• Balanced ration for transition cows
• Prevent causes of cows going off-feed

31
Early Lactation PitfallsKetosis

• What
• Cow in low energy balance
• Burns off fat so fast creates ketones in blood
• When
• Usually within 30 days after calving
• Why
• Low body condition
• Any other cause for going off-feed

32
KetosisWhat is Normal?

• 36 Citations in Literature from 1979 to 1995
• Lactational Incidence Rate Ranged from 1.3 to
  18.3
• Median LIR was 4.8

Kelton, et al., 1998. JDS 812502
33
Early Lactation PitfallsKetosis

• Diagnosis
• Smell of acetone on breath
• Keto-stick turns purple in urine
• Off feed
• Treatment
• Dextrose IV
• Propylene glycol drench
• Glucocorticoids
• Consult veterinarian for protocol

34
Early Lactation PitfallsKetosis

• Prevention
• Balanced ration for all stages of lactation
  cycle- including dry cows
• Maintain proper body condition for all stages of
  lactation cycle
• Prevent other diseases

35
Early Lactation PitfallsOther Diseases

• Rumen acidosis
• Abomasal Ulcers
• Fatty Liver
• All require veterinary assistance in
  diagnosis/prevention

36
Common Diseases of Dairy Cattle

• Calving Disorders
• Early Lactation Pitfalls
• Everyday Problems

37
Everday ProblemsMastitis

• What
• Infection of the udder
• Most likely to treat clinical mastitis
• Can be mild to severe
• When
• Usually lactating cows
• Why
• Poor milking technique
• Unclean cow housing

38
Clinical MastitisWhat is Normal?

• 62 Citations in Literature from 1979 to 1995
• Lactational Incidence Rate Ranged from 1.7 to
  54.6
• Median LIR was 14.2
• Michigan study suggested 1-2 of cows each month
  is a good goal

Kelton, et al., 1998. JDS 812502
39
Everyday Problems Mastitis

• Diagnosis
• Abnormal milk
• Swollen quarter
• Cow may be off feed, fever
• Off feed
• Treatment
• Consult veterinarian
• Antibacterials
• Supportive care

40
Everyday Problems Mastitis

• Prevention
• Important to keep records
• Culture of milk samples
• Proper milking technique
• Maintain clean, dry, comfortable cows

41
Everday ProblemsPneumonia

• What
• Infection of the respiratory tract-lungs
• When
• Anytime
• Usually after new arrivals
• Rapid weather changes
• Why
• Lack of immunity (vaccination)
• Poor ventilation/housing

42
Everyday Problems Pneumonia

• Diagnosis
• Fever
• Labored breathing/sounds
• Depression
• Off feed
• Treatment
• Consult veterinarian
• Antibacterials
• Supportive care

43
Everyday Problems Pneumonia

• Prevention
• Important to keep records
• Vaccination program
• Biosecurity program
• Maintain well-ventilated, dry housing

44
Everday ProblemsLameness

• What
• Infection or injury of feet or legs
• When
• Anytime
• Why
• Foot rot
• Heel warts
• Punctures
• Rumen acidosis/laminitis founder

45
Everyday Problems Lameness

• Diagnosis
• Cow with limp
• Standing / walking with humped back
• Must examine foot
• Treatment
• Consult veterinarian-antibacterials
• Foot trimming/bandages

46
Everyday Problems Lameness

• Prevention
• Regular foot trimming
• Foot baths
• Well designed stalls for cows
• Well balanced rations

47
Everday ProblemsEnteritis

• What
• Infection of intestinal tract
• Can be acute (winter dysentery) or
• Chronic (Johnes)
• When
• Anytime

48
Everday ProblemsEnteritis

• Why
• Feed changes
• Salmonella
• Winter dysentery
• Parasites (younger animals)
• BVD
• Johnes disease

49
Everyday Problems Enteritis

• Diagnosis
• Off feed
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Blood or fecal tests
• Treatment
• Consult veterinarian-

50
Everyday Problems Enteritis

• Prevention
• Vaccination (BVD)
• Strict biosecurity
• Sanitation
• Clean feed handling
• Separatiuon of calves from cows
• Culling
• Gradual feed changes

51
Everday ProblemsHardware

• What
• Foreign object (metal) in digestive tract
• When
• Anytime
• Why
• Cows swallow nails, wire
• Causes punctures in digestive tract
• Liver abcesses
• Heart damage

52
Everyday Problems Hardware

• Diagnosis
• Off feed
• Often normal to dry manure
• Arched back
• Usually no fever
• Diarrhea
• Treatment
• Consult veterinarian-antibacterials
• Magnet

53
Everyday Problems Hardware

• Prevention
• Careful of needles, tools, wire, nails around
  farm
• Magnets to all heifers?

54
Goals and Objectives of 100-Day Contract
Fresh Period

• 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

55
Goals and Objectives of 100-Day Contract
Fresh Period

• 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

56
Components of 100-Day Contract
Fresh Period

• Clean Calving Environment
• Third Upjohn J-5 Bacterin within Two Weeks of
  Calving
• Body Condition Score at Calving
• Daily Monitoring of Each Cow for First 10 Days
  after Calving
• Administer Supportive Therapy as Needed

57
10 Day Postpartum Monitoring Program

• Involves evaluating each fresh cow every day for
  10 days.
• Observe Attitude of Cow
• Rectal temperature (gt103.0F.)
• Sick, Off feed
• Ketosis
• Displaced Abomasum
• Physical exam for other diseases

58
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

Dr. Lynn Upham, Bovine Proceedings, September,
1996
59
Fresh Cow Monitoring SystemFlow Chart
Fresh Cow
Normal
"Abnormal"
1) 10 Day PP Monitoring 2) ECP Sterile Solution,
2 cc. IM 3) LUTALYSE Sterile Solution, 1
ds. (14-28 days PP)
1) 10 Day PP Monitoring
Fever
Sick/"Off Feed"
Normal
Fever
Sick/"Off Feed"
Normal
60
Abnormal Fresh Cow

• Assisted Calving - If chains/baling twine are
  used or if vulva is entered.
• Twins
• Dead Calves
• Milk Fever
• Retained Placenta

61
Fresh Cow Program
Day One Problem CowsECP (4 mg once)
10-Day EvaluationTemperature andPhysical Exam
Normal
Fever /- Off-feed
Off-feed no fever
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
LUTALYSEClean-UpDay 14-21
LUTALYSEClean-UpDay 14-21
62
Why ?

• ECP (Estradiol cypionate) -- day one
• Very low dose (4mg)
• Effects last 5-7 days
• Keeps uterus sensitive to oxytocin
• Improved neutrophil function ?

63
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

64
Why?

• Temperature monitoring
• GLA thermometers
• Early warning
• More effective treatment
• Improved Animal Welfare!

65
Why?

• Antibiotic Treatment
• Broad-spectrum systemic
• Fever of unknown origin
• Treating metritis

66
What Can We Give These Cows Day One to Keep Them
From Becoming Toxic Metritis Day 5-10 ?

• Calcium ?
• Oxytocin ?
• Estrogens ?
• Antibiotics ?

67
Parasite Control

• Parasite
• Is an organism that makes its living at the
  expense of another

68
Parasite Control

• Ectoparasites
• Flies, lice, ticks
• Endoparasites
• Nematodes (worms)
• Protozoans (coccidia, cryptosporidia)

69
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)

70
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

71
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 gt 3 mos of age