The sight no dairy producer or worker wants to see when he or she arrives to the farm early in the morning is a cow that can't get up. According to a recent Miner Institute Farm Report, the best thing a producer can do for such animals is to have a veterinarian-approved plan in place for decision making.Although, thankfully, not the most common ailment affecting cows, it can be likened to a human calling 911. A cow that cannot get up demands emergency room-level attention.
Dairy producers have a tight window to improve the cow's health or make the decision to humanely euthanize it, notes Heather Dann with the Miner Institute. Cows that are down for less than 24 hours are more likely to recover as are cows that are down because of milk fever.
According to research at the University of British Columbia, recovery is more likely for cows that are relocated to a comfortable, individual pen with feed and water access. Cows also need to be regularly repositioned to enhance recovery. Repositioning reduces the chance of severe muscle and nerve damage caused by being nonambulatory. The down cow should be transferred from side to side every few hours, and animals should be administered treatment, including pain relief.
Another important part of any plan regarding down cows is outlining criteria for humane euthanasia, if necessary.
When and if a cow on your operation can't get up, have a plan in place to provide optimal nursing to give her the best chance of rejoining her herdmates.
(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2016
March 7, 2016
