Postpartum Complications and Management in Dairy Cattle

Renu Sharma1, Preeti Verma2 and Maneesh Jatav3
  1. Ph.D. Scholar, Animal Reproduction division, ICAR-IVRI Bareilly U.P
  2. Ph.D. Scholar, Division of Physiology and climatology, ICAR -IVRI Bareilly U.P.

Assistant Professor, Department of Vety. Pathology, Co.V.Sc. & A.H., NDVSU, Jabalpur

Introduction: The postpartum period is a critical time for dairy cattle, as they undergo significant physiological and metabolic changes following the stress of calving. During this time, dairy cattle are particularly vulnerable to a range of health issues that can have significant impacts on their productivity, fertility, and overall well-being. Understanding the common postpartum complications in dairy cattle and implementing effective prevention and management strategies is crucial for maintaining herd health and profitability. Postpartum complications in dairy cattle can arise from a variety of factors, including dystocia (difficult calving), retained fetal membranes, nutritional imbalances, and poor sanitation during the calving process. These conditions can lead to uterine infections, metabolic disorders, and other serious health problems that can compromise the cow’s recovery and future reproductive performance.

Common Postpartum Complications

  1. Metritis: Metritis, an inflammation of the uterus, is a common postpartum disorder affecting 12-40% of postpartum dairy cows. This condition typically develops within 10 days of calving and can have significant consequences on the health, productivity, and reproductive performance of affected animals. Risk factors for metritis include dystocia, retained fetal membranes, ketosis, and excessive bacterial contamination around calving. Symptoms include foul-smelling vaginal discharge, enlarged uterus, fever, anorexia, and reduced milk yield.

Treatment and management: Antibiotic treatment for metritis in dairy cows is a critical aspect of veterinary care, though it often yields cure rates of only 67-75%. The primary antimicrobial agent used in this context is ceftiofur, which is favoured for its effectiveness against the bacterial pathogens commonly associated with metritis, such as Escherichia coli and Fusobacterium necrophorum. Ceftiofur’s ability to concentrate in infected uterine tissues enhances its therapeutic efficacy, making it a cornerstone of systemic antibiotic treatment for this condition. In cases of severe metritis, additional supportive care is essential. Cows may require oral or intravenous fluids to combat dehydration, while non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can alleviate inflammation, fever, and pain, thereby improving the cow’s comfort and promoting recovery. The use of hormonal therapy, particularly prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and its analogs, can also be beneficial. These hormones not only induce estrus but also lower progesterone levels, enhancing uterine tone and the cow’s natural defense mechanisms against infection.Preventive measures play a vital role in managing metritis. Addressing predisposing factors such as dystocia, retained placenta, and metabolic disorders is crucial. Effective management practices during the transition period and calving process, including maintaining good hygiene, can significantly reduce the incidence of metritis. Furthermore, recognizing and treating underlying metabolic issues is essential to support the overall health of the cow.

  • Retention of Placenta (ROP): Retention of placenta (ROP) is the failure to expel the fetal membranes within 12 hours after calving. The ROP is a common postpartum complication, occurring in 5-10% of normal calvings in dairy cows. Risk factors for this are abortion, dystocia, milk fever, twin births, induction of calving, infections, and nutritional disturbances. Deficiencies in vitamins (e.g., vitamin E) and minerals (e.g., selenium) can also predispose cows to ROP. It can lead to increased risk of metritis, endometritis, mastitis, and decreased fertility. It can also cause a drop in milk pro duction and delayed uterine involution.

Treatment and Management: Manually removing the retained placenta is not recommended, as it can introduce infection and damage the uterus. Instead, dairy producers should consult a veterinarian, who can provide appropriate treatment. Veterinary treatment typically involves antibiotic therapy to prevent or treat secondary infections, and hormonal therapy, such as the administration of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) or its analogs, to stimulate uterine contractions and facilitate the expulsion of the retained placenta. In some cases, alternative treatments, such as Ayurvedic preparations or collagenase injections, may also be used to aid in the release of the placenta. Supportive care for cows with ROP is essential. This may include fluids and anti-inflammatory medications.

                While treatment is important, the focus should be on prevention to minimize the occurrence of retained placenta (ROP) in dairy cattle. Addressing underlying risk factors, such as nutritional deficiencies, dystocia, and metabolic disorders, is crucial. Ensuring proper nutrition, especially during the transition period, and maintaining good calving management practices can help reduce the risk of ROP.

  • Ketosis

Ketosis typically occurs within the first few weeks after calving due to a negative energy balance. Cows are unable to consume enough energy to meet the increased demands for milk production. Excessive body condition at calving (BCS ≥ 4.0) is a major risk factor for ketosis. Ketosis can be clinical, with symptoms like reduced feed intake, weight loss, and acetone odor in the breath, or subclinical without obvious signs. In severe cases, cows may show neurological signs like incoordination and blindness. Ketosis reduces milk yield, fertility, and immune function, and increases the risk of other diseases like displaced abomasum. Subclinical ketosis causes 2-3 kg less milk per day and increases inseminations to conception. Economic losses are substantial due to reduced production, treatment costs, and increased culling.

Treatment and Management

Oral administration of propylene glycol for 3-5 days is the primary treatment for clinical ketosis. Supportive care, such as anti-inflammatory drugs and calcium supplementation, may also be necessary in severe cases. Consulting a veterinarian is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment of ketosis. Maintaining proper body condition (BCS 3.0-3.5) at calving is important, as excessive body condition (BCS ≥ 4.0) is a major risk factor for ketosis. Feeding a balanced diet to promote rapid and sustained increases in dry matter intake after calving can help prevent ketosis. Transition cow management is important to prevent or reduce stress and maintain feed intake. Separating heifers from older cows can also help minimize stress and maintain feed intake.  Using feed additives like niacin, yeast products, and rumen-protected choline in the transition period may help prevent ketosis. In postpartum care, providing a “fresh cow” ration balanced for energy, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals is important to maintain health and promote an early return to a positive energy balance.

  • Milk Fever (Hypocalcemia)

Milk fever is caused by a sudden drop in blood calcium levels around the time of calving. Cows have a 400% increase in calcium demand to support colostrum and milk production after calving. Older cows, high-producing cows, and Jersey cows are at higher risk for milk fever. Factors like high dietary calcium and potassium, and low dietary magnesium, can predispose cows to milk fever. Clinical milk fever is characterized by the cow being unable to stand, having a low body temperature, and showing neurological signs like muscle tremors. Subclinical milk fever, with blood calcium levels below 8.5 mg/dL, has no outward symptoms but can still negatively impact the cow’s health and productivity. Milk fever increases the risk of other metabolic disorders like ketosis, displaced abomasum, and uterine infections. Cows with clinical milk fever can produce 14% less milk, while those with subclinical cases produce 7% less.

Treatment and Management

Maintaining proper body condition (BCS 3.0-3.5) at calving is crucial for preventing milk fever. Feeding a low-calcium, low-potassium diet in the dry period stimulates calcium mobilization, reducing the risk of milk fever. Supplementing with magnesium before and after calving optimizes calcium metabolism, further reducing the risk of milk fever. Providing adequate calcium supplementation after calving, especially during the colostrum period, ensures that cows have sufficient calcium to support milk production. Intravenous calcium solutions are the primary treatment for clinical milk fever cases where the cow is down and unable to stand. Oral or subcutaneous calcium supplements may be used for milder cases. Consulting a veterinarian is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment of milk fever.

  • Displaced Abomasum (DA)

Displaced abomasum (DA) is a common condition in dairy cattle, particularly after calving. High concentrate diets and low fiber intake during the transition period increase the risk of DA, as high grain intake can lead to an accumulation of gas in the abomasum, causing it to float out of place. Metabolic disorders such as ketosis and milk fever can contribute to DA by leading to atony of the abomasum, making it more prone to displacement. The stress of calving can also contribute to DA by decreasing abomasal motility, allowing gas to accumulate and the abomasum to displace. Cows with DA often show a gradual decrease in milk production, which can be rapid in some cases, and typically have reduced appetite, particularly for concentrates. Other clinical signs include reduced rumination, mild diarrhea, and a “pear drop” smell to the breath due to ketosis.

Physical examination by a veterinarian is crucial for diagnosing DA, as auscultation and percussion of the left flank can reveal a characteristic tinkling sound, indicating the presence of gas in the displaced abomasum. Ultrasonography is also a useful diagnostic tool for visualizing the displaced abomasum.

Treatment and Management

Common treatments for DA include rolling the cow and toggling (placing sutures externally to fix the abomasum in place), which can be done under veterinary supervision. In cases where these methods are not effective, surgery may be necessary to reposition the abomasum, involving opening the cow and suturing the abomasum in place. To prevent DA, ensuring a balanced transition diet with adequate fiber and gradual increases in grain intake is crucial, as high concentrate diets and low fiber intake during this period increase the risk of the condition. Providing long hay and maintaining a 40:60 forage:grain ratio in the lactation diet can also be beneficial. Additionally, preventing and treating metabolic disorders such as ketosis and milk fever can reduce the risk of DA by ensuring proper nutrition and managing stress levels. Regular monitoring of cows after calving and early detection of DA can improve treatment outcomes and reduce economic losses.

 Nutritional Management During the Postpartum Period

Effective nutritional strategies are crucial for improving dairy cow reproduction without negatively affecting lactation performance. Key strategies include feeding high-quality forages, controlled-energy (CE) diets, and supplemental fats to enhance energy intake.

Prepartum Dietary Considerations: Controlling energy intake during the dry period is essential for transition success. Studies shows that limiting energy consumption to calculated requirements leads to better health outcomes and reduces periparturient problems. Overconsumption of energy, even if cows do not become noticeably over-conditioned, can lead to decreased post-calving dry matter intake (DMI) and adverse metabolic responses such as higher NEFA and BHBA levels in the blood, increased triacylglycerol (TAG) in the liver, and impaired immune function. Controlled-energy intake during the dry period can prevent these issues by limiting internal fat deposition and promoting better metabolic health.

Postpartum Dietary Considerations: Less is known about the optimal diet formulation for the immediate postpartum period. Ensuring proper dietary formulation during the dry period or close-up period is crucial for maintaining ruminal adaptation to higher grain diets after calving. A sudden increase in dietary energy density postpartum can lead to subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA), reducing DMI and nutrient digestibility. Moderate starch content (23-25% of DM) with moderate fermentability, along with adequate effective forage fiber, is recommended to support ruminal health and prevent SARA. Supplemental fats, particularly polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), have been shown to improve reproduction by enhancing uterine health and reducing early embryonic loss.

Many studies indicated that targeted nutritional strategies during the prepartum and postpartum periods can minimize health problems, lessen negative energy balance (NEB), and improve subsequent fertility. Effective management of energy intake, nutrient balance, and diet formulation can support both reproductive health and lactation performance in dairy cows.

Conclusion The postpartum period in dairy cows is a critical phase marked by significant physiological and metabolic changes following calving. This time frame exposes cows to various health complications that can adversely affect their productivity, fertility, and overall well-being. Understanding these common postpartum complications and implementing effective prevention and management strategies is vital for maintaining herd health and profitability.

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