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Downer Cow Management

Many farmers adopt a "wait and see" approach to downer cows. Under what conditions is this acceptable? What assessment should be provided for down cows? What are the signs that suggest that the cow is not going to get up?

By Department of Primary Industries - 16th August 2006 - Back to News

The basic requirement of a cow that cannot rise unassisted are a warm dry environment, provision of comfortable dry soft bedding (hay, straw or sawdust) on a non-slip surface and protection from predators such as foxes. The cow should be positioned correctly by sitting her on her sternum, positioning the hind limbs underneath her body and be turned from side to side as often as possible, but at least three times daily. Feed and water should be available to the cow at all times, or be offered to the cow at least three times per day. The longer a cow is left down without this type of care and appropriate treatment the lower the chances of recovery.

If it is not possible to provide these minimum requirements then the cow should be humanely destroyed as soon as possible. If a cow is left on a slippery surface, efforts to rise can result in further muscle and joint damage. Moving the cow from side to side is required to minimise muscle and nerve damage that results from recumbency. Foxes will prey on live cattle that are unable to move to protect themselves.

Lifting devices such as hip clamps can be very useful but can also cause considerable damage if not used properly. Hip clamps should be applied firmly to prevent them slipping off, they should not be applied for more than 10 minutes twice per day and not be applied to cows which hang in the clamps and do not take any weight on their limbs.

There are many conditions which prevent cattle from rising. The most commonly occurring problems that lead to down cows at calving time include the late or unsuccessful treatment of milk fever or traumatic injury to the nerves of the hind limbs at the time of calving (calving paralysis). The common post mortem findings in these cows are severe muscle damage caused by poor blood supply and leading to necrosis of thigh muscles, damage to the major nerves of the hind limb, traumatic separation of muscles and tendons and hip damage, including hip dislocation.

Other conditions which prevent a cow from rising include fracture of the pelvis or femur, and spinal cord disease or injury.

The probability that a cow would recover from severe muscle, nerve or tendon damage, spinal injury or fractures is extremely low.

Prompt treatment in cases of milk fever reduces the chances of severe muscle damage occurring and therefore considerably improves the chances of a swift recovery. Also in cases of calving paralysis early administration of anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs can also significantly increase the chances of a swift recovery. If there is no improvement in a downer cow within a reasonable time frame, say within 24-36 hours, a veterinarian should be called to assess the cow, to determine the underlying cause of the recumbency, to provide further treatment if necessary and to assess chances of recovery. If hip dislocation is suspected as a complication of the recumbency a veterinarian should be called to replace the hip without delay. Early intervention will increase the chances of the hip staying in place.

If the chances of recovery are considered to be poor the cow must be promptly and humanely destroyed. Cows that continually lie flat out on their sides or have their hind limbs in unusual positions are very unlikely to rise, as are cows that become sunken eyed (dehydrated). The "wait and see" approach is not appropriate in these cases and in cases where the cow is not improving or getting worse.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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