Downer Cows

Every dairy farm will experience some metabolic downer cow cases this spring and most are a relatively quick fix with metabolic treatment and up within a few hours.

But a significant number stay down for long periods. Any cow which has been down for over 24 hours requires good nursing to ensure a full recovery but this can be very labour intensive and time consuming.

It is important to understand that these cows are often not down due to the primary condition (i.e. milk fever) but are down due to secondary complications such as muscle injuries, nerve damage and compartment syndrome. This damage can occur within as little as 3 to 6 hours of going down, especially if the surface is hard and/or the animal is heavy. So, a cow needs to be got back on her feet quickly or managed appropriately to prevent this secondary damage.

Nursing of a downer cow should only be undertaken if the cow has a reasonable chance of recovery and a competent person is on hand, who is prepared to invest the time and energy in the care of the cow. This is an important animal welfare message. If you are unable or unwilling to provide a high level of care then euthanasia should be elected early in the piece.

Inadequate care of down cows is one of the most common animal welfare complaints from members of the public.

Research has shown that over 45% of downer cows can recover with good nursing, while 0% of cows will recover if very poor nursing is given!

• Ideally the down cow is sheltered and on clean, dry and soft bedding. Normally this means putting her in a calf shed. While the majority of down cows are nursed in the paddock, this is not ideal and she should at least have a cow cover put on her.

• Clean water and good feed should always be available. A cow should drink 40 litres a day and have at least 12-15kg of DM. A 1 litre bottle of Calstart or Headstart is equivalent to a kg DM.

• Longer acting anti-inflammatories such as Metacam and Rimadyl will definitely improve cow comfort and prognosis.

• Move the cow from side to side every 3 hours to ensure her weight is not always to one side and flex and extend the hind limbs each time the cow is moved

• Regularly milk the udder out by hand stripping, check she is not developing mastitis.

• Encourage the cow to rise, use hip clamps to get her to her feet only, never leave cows hanging in hip clamps.

• Regularly re-assess her progress and diagnosis. If you have any doubts ask for help.