Metabolic Disorders & Nutritionally Related Diseases in Dairy Cattle Anna Rodriguez and Pedram Rezamand, PhD.

Percentage of cows with identified health problems USDA NAHMS, 1996 1998 USDA NAHMS, 2002 USDA NAHMS, 2007 USDA NAHMS, 2014 Mastitis 13.4 14.2 14.7 16.5 24.8 Milk Fever 5.9 6.5 5.2 4.9 4.5 Displaced Abomasum 2.8 1.7 3.5 4 Retained Placenta 7.8 8.6 Add newer data Make a graph of the data

Percentage of cows with identified health problems

Displaced Abomasum When Abomasum becomes distended with gas, fluid or both and shifts to an abnormal position (usually to the left). Signs include: ketosis, normal temperature, reduced milk production, and discomfort. Decrease milk yield; off food; pinging sound w/ stethoscope when tapped Cause When abomasal contractions are weak or absent Treatment Surgery Rolling and stitching Prevention Feed good forage: concentrate ratio Have good pre-fresh program

Energy Balance Kim John K,. Modulation of the Somatotropic Axis in Periparturient Dairy Cows. 2014

Change in Energy Status

Energy Metabolism During Negative Energy Balance G-6-Pase Glucose-6-P Glucose Glycolysis Gluconeogenesis Pyruvate Fatty Acids (NEFA) Acetyl-CoA Ketones Oxaloacetate Citrate Kreb’s Cycle Liver 2 CO2 12 ATP Hrycyna, 2004

Insufficient Dietary Effective Fiber Rumen Acidosis High DCAD or Low Mg Diets Lameness Displaced Abomasum Decreased DMI Around Calving Milk Fever Insufficient Vitamins, Trace Minerals, or Antioxidants Hypocalcemia Lost muscle Tone Negative Energy + Protein Balance Increasing NEFA Ketosis/ Fatty Liver Immune Suppression Retained Fetal Membranes and Metritis Mastitis

Block et al., 2002

Fatty liver syndrome Symptoms Labored breathing Dull, depressed, stop eating Liver failure Cause Negative energy balance Greater than 20% fat in liver cells Overweight cattle Treatment High forage diet Evaluate other symptoms Prevention Good pre-fresh diet Body condition scoring Scale 1-5, 1 very lean, 5 excessively fat

Ketosis Increased plasma concentrations of acetoacetate, acetate, betahydroxy butyrate result in ketosis Incomplete fatty acid oxidation & severe negative energy balance results in increased plasma ketone concentrations Reese et. al. 2015

Ketogenesis

Ketosis Symptoms Decreased milk yield, weight loss, decreased appetite, dull coat, acetone breath Excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weakness, confusion Causes Negative energy balance Mobilization of protein Treatment 500mL 50% dextrose to bolus Glucocorticoid 2-20mg Insulin IM in combination with dextrose and gluccocortocoids (150- 200UI) Supplying gluconeogenic precursors- propylene glycol, glycerol, sodium or calcium salts. Prevention Constant evaluation of cattle Body condition score

>1400 μmol/L is commonly considered ketosis 3000 μmol/L is the level where clinical ketosis begins Adapted from Reist et al., 2000 Oetzel. University of Wisconsin, School of Veterinary Medicine, 2015

Milk Fever Symptoms wobbly, poor muscle coordination “S” curve to neck, or down cow Dry nose/muzzle Cold ears/legs Weak fast heartbeat Cause Low blood calcium levels, due to calcium in milk Treatment Calcium boroglucinate I.V. (concentration of 2.2g/100kg body weight Prevention Dietary cation anion difference (DCAD) Good pre-fresh diet Vitamin D 2-3 days before calving Feeds high in energy and low in Ca+ before calving

Retained Placenta Symptoms Degenerating, discolored, ultimately fetid membranes hanging from the vulva Foul-smelling discharge Increased risk of developing metritis, ketosis, mastitis, and even abortion in a subsequent pregnancy Cause Associated with dystocia, milk fever (metabolic diseases) and twin births Low E2, PGF2α Treatment The best plan is to remove tissues, and give antibiotics Prevention Good dry cow management is key Correct nutrients, particularly magnesium, and fat soluble vitamins, maximize dry matter intake Maintaining the correct body condition score Clean dry environment Manual removal of the retained membranes is no longer recommended and is potentially harmful. Trimming of excess tissue that is objectionable to animal handlers and contributes to gross contamination of the genital tract is permissible. Untreated cows expel the membranes in 2-11 days, with 40 per cent of cases requiring no treatment.  Early use of antibiotics may also slow down the release of the membrane.  The best plan is to observe the cow closely for signs of illness and treat any symptoms that occur.  Regular weekly progesterone sampling can help determine if there has been any effect of the RP on the cow’s return to normal reproductive activity.

Metritis Seen in the first 10 days post-calving Symptoms Fever, a foul-fetid vulvar discharge, a uterus with excess fluid and lacking tone, and a cow that appears depressed and off-feed. Cause Bacterial Infection Yeast infection Treatment Antibiotics Anti-fungal Prevention Appropriate DCAD for immune function support Feeding a diet to with appropriate levels of calcium to prevent milk fever Minimize negative energy balance around calving A clean, dry maternity environment Well managed assistance when a calving difficulty occurs Minimize negative energy balance around calving time by managing pen moves and preventing over-crowding and feeding appropriate transition rations

Impact Diseased animals are not profitable Meeting nutrient requirements for animals at specific stage of production is important to prevent disease Proper care and observation of animal health can help prevent, and treat diseases sooner