Factors influencing the attitudes of cattle veterinarians, farmers, and claw trimmers towards the pain associated with the treatment of sole ulcers and the sensitivity to pain of dairy cows

Summary Objective: To determine the intravascular electrolyte status in dairy cows with respect to age and different courses of parturition to clarify etiological factors influencing peri- or intrapartal imbalances of electrolyte homeostasis. Material and methods: A total of 64 cows at birth were evaluated (primiparous n = 34, pluriparous n = 30). Thirty-three cows showed normal delivery, while 31 cows had a complicated birth. Blood samples were collected intra partum (i. p.) and 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24 h post partum (p. p.) as well as [2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 days p. p. and levels of total calcium (Catotal), ionized calcium (Caion), inorganic phosphate (Pa), Mg, Na, K, Cl were determined. Results: The results revealed that electrolytes show great fluctuation during and immediately p. p. in relation to age. Already during parturition pluriparous cows had a lower Catotal and Pa concentration compared to primiparous animals. Cows with dystocia exhibited a more intensive and longer lasting decrease of Ca compared to cows with normal birth. In relation to age and severity of birth Pa concentration showed a differing but basically typical course for this electrolyte. Mg, Na, K and Cl concentrations were higher during and immediately after birth compared to p. p. values. Until day 10 p. p. these electrolyte concentrations declined more in older cows with dystocia compared to younger animals. However, the influence of dystocia on concentration of these electrolytes was milder in contrast to Ca and Pa. Conclusions: In summary, primarily older cows are predisposed to imbalances of electrolyte homeostasis intra partum and at the beginning of the lactation. These changes are potentiated in case of complications during parturition. Intravascular Catotal, Caion as well as Pa are most severely affected. Clinical relevance: These results may constitute the basis for a comprehensive metaphylaxis during the peripartal period, especially in cows after dystocia, to positively influence the early convalescence phase.

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Dietary preference of dairy cows grazing grass and clover

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1752756200597038 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 1998 ◽

pp. 51-51

Author(s):

S.M. Rutter ◽

R.J. Orr ◽

P.D. Penning ◽

N.H. Yarrow ◽

R.A. Champion ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Nutrient Intake ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Grazing Management ◽

Considerable Progress ◽

Dietary Preference ◽

Domestic Ruminants ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Grazing Sheep

The development of grazing management strategies to optimise nutrient intake from grazed herbage requires an understanding of the factors influencing the dietary preference of grazing domestic ruminants. Although there has been considerable progress in understanding the factors influencing the dietary preference of grazing sheep, there has been comparatively little research with lactating dairy cows (Rutter et al., 1997). The aim of the experiment reported here was to study the dietary preference of lactating dairy cows grazing grass and clover.

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Risk factors influencing lameness and claw disorders in dairy cows

Livestock Production Science ◽

10.1016/j.livprodsci.2004.12.005 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 95 (3) ◽

pp. 265-271 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

J.C. Bielfeldt ◽

R. Badertscher ◽

K.-H. Tölle ◽

J. Krieter

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Factors Influencing

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Prevalence and distribution of feet lesions in dairy cows raised in the freestall

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2019v40n1p239 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 239 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rafael Costa Ebling ◽

Amanda Krummenauer ◽

Gustavo Machado ◽

Diego Zeni ◽

Luis Paulo Carazzo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

The Body ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Productivity Losses ◽

Foot Diseases ◽

Infectious Origin ◽

Condition Score ◽

Foot Lesions ◽

Sole Ulcers

Foot lesions are one of the main causes of productivity losses in the dairy industry. In this study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of claudication and distribution of hoof lesions by associating them with preventive hoof trimming, as well as list the main causes of involuntary discarding and the main health problems reported in dairy farms. The study included 10 farms distributed in 7 municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul state. The body condition score (BCS) and locomotion score (LS) of the cows were assessed. Hoof examination, lesion classification, and hoof trimming of the animals were performed. Of the 492 animals, 38.4% presented lameness and 36% had foot lesions, 81.4% of which were observed in the pelvic limbs and 19.6% in the thoracic limbs. Of the lesions in the limbs, 47.1% were of infectious origin and 52.9% were noninfectious. The main lesions were sole ulcers (31.6%), digital dermatitis (30.3%), thin soles (12%), and interdigital dermatitis (11.2%). Cows aged 4 to 6 years had a higher number of lesions and a higher LS. Preventive hoof trimming reduced the chances of lameness by 55% as the locomotive system was the main sanitary problem and the first reason for involuntary disposal of the farms. The results show that dairy cows raised in a free stall system have a high prevalence of claudication and foot diseases. These data should be taken into account when altering the livestock management of these animals in order to reduce significant economic losses in the herd.

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