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

2. 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

3. Percentage of cows with identified health problems

4. 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

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

6. Change in Energy Status

7. 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

8. 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

9. Block et al., 2002

10. 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

12. 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

13. Ketogenesis

14. 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 ( UI)
Supplying gluconeogenic precursors- propylene glycol, glycerol, sodium or calcium salts.
Prevention
Constant evaluation of cattle
Body condition score

15. >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

16. 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

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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