Management of cull dairy cows: Culling decisions, duration of transport, and effect on cow condition.

Many cows culled from dairy farms arrive at livestock markets or abattoirs in compromised condition, but it is unknown whether cows are compromised at the time of culling or deteriorate during the marketing process. This study followed cull cows from farm to abattoir, monitored any deterioration, and tested the effect of providing such information on subsequent culling. For 11 mo, data were collected from 20 dairy farms, livestock markets, and abattoirs. Cows' body condition, lameness, and udder condition (as binary outcomes) were assessed at 4 points: when placed on the culling list, before leaving the farm, at auction, and at the abattoir. Based on the first 5 mo of data (baseline period), information materials were provided to 10 randomly selected farms (Informed treatment), and the other 10 served as a Control. Logistic mixed models were used to test differences in cows' condition at the 4 points of assessment, using the assessment before leaving the farm as a reference value and cow-within-farm as a random effect. The effects of providing information on outcome measures (proportion thin, severely lame, with udder edema, poor fitness for transport, euthanized, and died) were tested with a general linear model. As demand for milk increased during the baseline period, additional linear mixed models were fitted to test whether the same outcome measures were affected by time (baseline or treatment period) and treatment (Informed or Control) using farm as a random effect. While cows were on the culling list (before shipping) the odds of being thin or having poor fitness for transport increased. After leaving the farms, cows spent (mean ± standard deviation) 82 ± 46 h in the marketing system before being slaughtered. Shipping from farm to abattoir increased the odds of being thin, having udder edema, or showing poor fitness for transport [odds ratio (OR) 5.8, 95% confidence interval 4.2 to 8.1; OR 14.7, 10.7 to 20.2; and OR 7.3, 5.7 to 9.5, respectively]. Providing this information to farmers (Informed treatment) did not affect the outcome measures. Compared with the baseline, during the treatment period fewer cows were shipped when thin (4.9 versus 9.0%) and with poor fitness for transport (15.7 versus 25.8%), and fewer cows died (5.4 versus 11.9%) or were euthanized (13.3 versus 20.5%). Increased demand for milk appeared to lead to delayed culling, such that more compromised cows were sent to slaughter. The results of this study show a need for clear and specific guidelines to assess fitness for transport of cull dairy cows.

Fitness for transport of cull dairy cows at livestock markets.

Cows are regularly removed from dairy herds and sold at livestock markets. Many cows are removed because of health problems, and their fitness for transport may vary because of seasonal variation, delayed or poor on-farm culling decisions, injuries during transport, and other factors. However, many dairy producers lack feedback about the condition of their cows during the marketing process and how cow condition influences sale price. This study evaluated the condition of cull dairy cows sold at livestock markets, tested how changing demand for milk influenced fitness for transport, and quantified how cow condition affected the price paid. For 12 mo, 2 livestock markets in British Columbia, Canada, were visited during 137 auction events when cull dairy cows were sold; 3 trained assessors observed 6,263 cull dairy cows while they were marketed in a sale ring. Observers recorded the cows' body condition score (BCS), locomotion score (LS), udder condition, quality defects (e.g., injuries, illness), and price. Logistic regression was used to test how month-to-month changes in demand for milk affected cows' fitness for transport, and a linear mixed model assessed how the animals' condition influenced the price. About 10% of the cows were thin (BCS ≤2), 7% were severely lame (locomotion score ≥4), 13% had engorged or inflamed udders, and 6% had other quality defects including abscesses, injuries, and signs of sickness (e.g., pneumonia). Cows culled during months with increased milk demand had much higher odds of poor fitness for transport (odds ratio 8.6, 95% confidence interval: 4.02-18.22). The price was most reduced if cows were thin (BCS ≤2) or visibly sick (-$0.63 ± 0.01/kg and -$0.56 ± 0.02/kg, respectively). Prices were reduced to a lesser degree by locomotion score ≥4 (-$0.35 ± 0.02/kg) and by udder condition (udder inflammation; -$0.30 ± 0.02/kg). Overall fitness for transport reduced the price by $0.51 ± 0.01/kg. In summary, about 30% of the cows sold at livestock markets had poor fitness for transport, which was partially influenced by increased milk demand and resulted in reduced market prices.

Hot topic: Management of cull dairy cows-Consensus of an expert consultation in Canada.

Many cull dairy cows enter the marketing system and travel to widely dispersed and specialized slaughter plants, and they may experience multiple handling events (e.g., loading, unloading, mixing), change of ownership among dealers, and feed and water deprivation during transport and at livestock markets. The objectives of this study were to describe the diverse management of cull dairy cows in Canada and establish consensus on ways to achieve improvements. A 2-day expert consultation meeting was convened, involving farmers, veterinarians, regulators, and experts in animal transport, livestock auction, and slaughter. The 15 participants, recruited from across Canada, discussed regional management practices for cull cattle, related risk factors, animal welfare problems, and recommendations. An audio recording of the meeting was used to extract descriptive data on cull cattle management and identify points of agreement. Eight consensus points were reached: (1) to assemble information on travel times and delays from farm to slaughter; (2) to increase awareness among producers and herd veterinarians of potential travel distances and delays; (3) to promote pro-active culling; (4) to improve the ability of personnel to assess animal condition before loading; (5) to identify local options for slaughter of cull dairy cows; (6) to investigate different management options such as emergency slaughter and mobile slaughter; (7) to ensure that all farms and auctions have, or can access, personnel trained and equipped for euthanasia; and (8) to promote cooperation among enforcement agencies and wider adoption of beneficial regulatory options.

Nonambulatory cows: Duration of recumbency and quality of nursing care affect outcome of flotation therapy.

Cows that are unable or unwilling to stand and remain recumbent for ≥ 12 h are defined as nonambulatory. Care and management of nonambulatory cattle is considered a major animal welfare concern facing the livestock industry, particularly the dairy sector. Flotation therapy has gained interest as a means to promote recovery in nonambulatory cows and is based on the concept that by floating the cow in warm water, secondary pressure damage to muscles and nerves will be reduced. The objective of this study was to assess the physiological responses to stress related to the flotation therapy and to evaluate the effect of recumbency duration and nursing care on the outcome of the flotation therapy. The outcomes of 34 nonambulatory Holstein dairy cows were analyzed after they were subjected to flotation therapy. The duration of recumbency and quality of nursing care provided before initiation of the flotation treatment were assessed based on producer responses to survey questions, and from on-site observations by the researchers. A veterinarian examined all cows before flotation therapy began. The treatment was divided into 5 phases: baseline (before filling), manipulation (placing the cow into the tank), filling (the tank was filled with water), flotation (the cow was confined in the filled tank), and draining (water was removed from the tank). Stress responses to the procedure, excluding the manipulation portion, were assessed using heart rate variability. The high-frequency component (HF normalized units) decreased during the filling and draining phases (2.8 ± 0.2 and 3.1 ± 0.4, respectively) compared with the baseline and floating phase (5.1 ± 0.6 and 4.9 ± 0.3, [corrected] respectively). These results indicate that the stress related to the flotation therapy is greatest during the filling and draining phases of the treatment, when cows likely have to exert increased effort to transition to a standing position. The flotation therapy was less likely to be successful on cows that had been recumbent for longer periods (odds ratio=0.96; 95% CI=0.93-0.99, for every 1-h increase in time recumbent before the therapy began). Higher quality of nursing care provided to nonambulatory cows increased the chance of recovery. In conclusion, cows subjected to flotation therapy were more likely to recover if they were treated at early stage of recumbency and if good nursing care was provided while recumbent.

Assessment of visceral pain associated with metritis in dairy cows.

Metritis is a common disease in dairy cattle, but to our knowledge, no work has assessed pain associated with this disease. Tissue palpation is commonly used to assess pain in human and veterinary medicine. The objective of this study was to evaluate visceral pain responses during rectal palpation, with and without uterine palpation, in healthy cows and in cows diagnosed with metritis. A total of 49 Holstein dairy cows (mean ± standard deviation parity of 2.8±1.8) were subjected to systematic health checks every 3 d after parturition for 21 d, scoring for vaginal discharge (0 to 4); 13 cows showed a discharge score ≥2 during at least 1 health check and were classified as metritic, whereas 29 cows were classified as healthy and showed no sign of this or any other disease (including mastitis and lameness). Back arch and heart rate variability before examination and during palpation were recorded using video and heart rate monitors. Back arch (cm(2)) on the day of diagnosis was greater in metritic versus healthy cows (1,034±72 vs. 612±48cm(2)), and greater during rectal palpation with uterine palpation versus rectal palpation without uterine palpation (869±45 vs. 777±45cm(2)). Heart rate frequency domain analysis showed that the low-frequency portion was higher in cows with metritis versus healthy cows (16.5±1.2 vs. 12.9±1.0). Time domain analysis showed that the standard deviation between normal to normal interbeat intervals and the root mean square of successive differences both decreased during rectal palpation with uterine palpation versus rectal palpation without uterine palpation (1.9±0.1 vs. 2.5±0.1 and 1.3±0.1 vs. 1.7±0.1, respectively). Together, these results indicate that the inflammation associated with metritis is painful, and that the pain response can be detected during rectal palpation with and without uterine palpation. Rectal palpation with uterine palpation appears to be more aversive than rectal palpation without uterine palpation, suggesting that the former should be avoided when possible.

[Modern approach to conservative treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia]. / Savremeni pristup konzervativnom lecenju benigne hiperplazije prostate.

It has been estimated that more than 30 million of people suffer from the symptoms in the lower urinary tract caused by benign hyperplasia of the prostate. According to data from literature the term benign hyperplasia of the prostate should be reserved only for histological diagnosis. The paper presents contemporary approaches to diagnostics and non-surgical, i.e. conservative modalities of the therapy. These modalities include: follow up of the patients, medicamentous therapy and non-surgical invasive therapies. Medicamentous therapy implies phytotherapy, inhibitors of 5-Alpha reductase and antagonists of Alpha-adrenergic receptors. Non-surgical invasive therapies include: balloon dilatation, ureteral stents and thermotherapy. The paper indicates the place of certain options related to the conservative treatment of benign hyperplasia of the prostate. A fact that only 10% of these patients are treated surgically means that majority of them need other, i.e. conservative therapy. New achievements in the treatment of benign hyperplasia of the prostate have aroused new hope for men suffering from this disease.

[Use of radioisotopes in urology]. / Primena radioizotopa u urologiji.

The use of radionuclide methods in the functional investigation of the urinary tract has become a routine part in the diagnostics of nephro-urologic diseases. These methods provide a great deal of important additional information concerning the functional status of the kidney and renal outlet system such as: overall renal function, contribution of the individual kidney to global renal function, regional distribution of functionally viable renal tissue within the kidney, and the state of upper as well as lower urinary tract urodynamics. These functional parameters are complementary to the anatomic details of the urinary tract status, and are best depicted by radiologic techniques. The paper deals with the basic principles of certain radionuclide studies, their advantages and drawbacks, as well as the main areas of their clinical application.

Clinical application of high-risk scoring on an obstetric service.

Obstetric risk scoring is a formalized way of recognizing, documenting, and cumulating antepartum and intrapartum factors to predict later complications for mother, fetus, and infant. If simple, practical, and reliable, risk scoring can be clinically useful in determining appropriate levels of care. In this prospective study, antepartum and intrapartum risk scales were integrated into the clinical record, and the relationship of risk scores to outcome was evaluated for 1,275 consecutively delivered gravid women. The forms could be simply and quickly filled out by the staff. Increased risk on both scales was significantly related to lowered one- and five-minute Apgar scores. The perinatal mortality rate increased from 0 to 93.4 per thousand from the lowest to the highest risk group. More than 80% of all perinatal deaths occurred in the one quarter of patients in the highest risk group. These results suggest that this risk scoring system can be used effectively in a clinical setting to identify patients at increased risk for neonatal depression and perinatal death.

Normal and abnormal labor progress: I. A quantitative assessment and survey of the literature.

Quantitative labor data have been reported piecemeal in the literature; there is no previous unified report of the frequencies of each of the dysfunctional labor patterns (DLPs). In order to describe the labor process more clearly a labor diagnostic computer program was used to prospectively study an unselected series of 3,682 nearly consecutive labors from one institution. Cervicometric data for nulliparous and multiparous labor were very similar to the results of others. The absolute frequency with which each DLP was found to occur is compared with results in the literature. Protracted active phase dilatation was the most frequently occurring DLP and prolonged deceleration phase the least frequently occurring one. The relative frequencies of the DLPs, defined as the percentage of all DLPs that occurred, remained reasonably constant, regardless of parity or the absolute frequencies of the DLPs in a group of patients.

The mechanical properties of prematurely and non--prematurely ruptured membranes. Methods and preliminary results.

The mechanical properties of the chorioamniotic membranes have been studied by several investigators over the past 100 years. No relationship between membrane strength, as measured by rupture tension, and premature or non-premature rupture of the membranes has been demonstrable. In the present study, several measures of the mechanical properties of the chorioamniotic membranes were examined. These included thickness, rupture tension, work to rupture, strain to rupture, and moduli of elasticity (Young). Prematurely and non-prematurely ruptured membranes differed with respect to thickness near the rupture site and Young's modulus near the placenta. Differences between the groups for the other parameters were not significant. This study suggests that there may be inherent differences between membranes which rupture prematurely and those which do not.