As reported in the "Journal of Dairy Science" (1985), cows stricken with fresh cow disorders have very high risks of acquiring other disease complications.
The November 1999 issue of Dairy Herd Management states, "When it comes to fighting disorders in your cows, there's no better time to be 'on offense' than during the transition period."
"This is critical because one ailment in a just-fresh cow can cascade into other disorders and lactation full of problems."
For example, as reported in the above Journal of Dairy Science, cows with clinical milk fever were 24 times more likely to have ketosis, 7 times more likely to have dystocia; 4 times more likely to have retained placenta; 5 times more likely to have clinical mastitis. Cows having retained placentas were 16 times more likely to acquire complicated ketosis.
When you factor in the immediate cost of the problems (medicines, vet bills, involuntary culling, cows dying, etc.) as well as lost milk production, lower peak milk production and delays in breeding, it's easy to see why experts at the National Animal Disease Center in Ames, lowa say that preventing these fresh cow illnesses yields a 3 to 1 return on your investment.
Thus, it is more than evident how one complication can erupt into another one or several others, for that matter. Optimum dry cow nutrition and management are critical in preventing milk fever, ketosis, retained placenta, displaced abomasum, dystocia, metritis and unthrifty calves. Paying special attention to the transition cow, and especially the close up cow immediately prior to, and during calving will pay big dividends to every dairy.
Following are some suggested nutritional protocols for dealing with concerns of fresh cows using Meltec Nutriceutical Supplements.
