Nowadays in Pakistan Dairy is progressing and greater milk yield is being obtained from dairy animals. However, this high milk yield adds great stress to dairy animals especially in pre-parturient and post-parturient period, as a result more and more cases of Downer cows are being reported. These cases are due to: 1. Blood Parasites 2. Fasciolosis 3. Improper feeding management 4. Low Body condition score 5. Fatty liver syndrome and Ketosis. Please discuss the causes and the solutions to fight this problem. Thanks.
Regards, Ghazanfar Chishti
I thing the other contributors to this problem are;
1. Lack of proper skill and knowledge with the producer.
2. Shortage of both quantity and quality feed.
3. Improper management and feeding.
4. Not offering sufficient dry period before parturition.
5. Stressful environment. etc
I think the downer cow syndrome is a multifactorial problem. Including management and nutritional factors.
Three Day Sickness best preventives is maintenance of cobalt, copper and selenium levels in dry period.
If you see prevalence in your herd consecutively for more than two years, go for vaccination.
I think that downer cow is a syndrome for many disorders
- Metabolic
- Parasitic
- Viral
- Bacterial
- Locomotor
So we should take care with nutrition (energy ,vit ,mineral)
Decads in steamup
Floor
Anti parasites(internal&external and blood parasite)
Vaccinations