Dry Period
The last 50-60 days of gestation when the cow is not lactating
Dry Cow
A cow that is not lactating and is pregnant
Far-off/Light
Dry cow in early part of the dry period (i.e. 20-60 days from expected calving)
Springer/Close-up
Dry cow or a first parity heifer that is <3 weeks from expected calving
Fresh Cow
A cow that has just calved and is lactating
AFI
As Fed IntakeThe amount of actual feed that the cow eats in a day
DMI
Dry Matter IntakeThe amount of feed (100% DM) that is being eaten
Legume
Nitrogen fixing grass that is high in protein, calcium, and potassium (i.e. alfalfa, clover, trefoil)
By-Product Feed
Feeds that are by-products of a primary industry
NPN
Non-Protein NitrogenNitrogen sources for ruminants that are not derived from protein. These are toxic to monogastric animals.i.e. urea, ammoniated hays and silages
Degradable Intake Protein
Protein that is degraded in the rumen and is utilized by the rumen microflora to create bacterial protein (aka Degradable Protein).i.e. Soybean meal, grain and forage proteins
Undegradable Intake Protein
Protein that is not digested in the rumen and is not available to rumen microbes (aka Undegradable or Insoluble Protein)i.e. Distillers grains, corn gluten feed, feather meal, fish meal, processed soybeans
Buffers
Compounds fed to buffer rumen or intestinal contents
Rumen Buffers
NaHCO3 (bicarb)MgO (Mag ox)
Intestinal Buffer
CaCO3 (limestone)
CP
Crude ProteinMeasured as % of DM
NEI
Net Energy of LactationMeasured in Mcal/lb (Mcal/kg)
NDF
Neutral Detergent FiberMeasured as % DM. Used to estimate DMI
EffNDF
Effective NDFA measure of effective particle size of a feed or ration. That portion of the diet that stimulates cud chewing and rumen motility
TMR
Total Mixed RationAll feed ingredients are mixed together and fed as a blended feed. Opposite of cafeteria style feeding
What are other names for Milk Fever?
Parturient ParesisPost-Parturient Hypocalcemia
Milk Fever
A metabolic disease usually occurring within 72 hours following calving. Characterized by hypocalcemia, general muscular weakness, and depression of consciousness
What happens if milk fever occurs just prior to parturition?
Results in dystocia due to uterine inertia
Predisposing factors for milk fever
High milk production>4 yearsInappetanceDiet high in Ca with +DCADStabled cows in winterStress from parturitionJersey >>> other breeds
Etiology of Milk Fever
Increased output of Ca from blood poolDecreased input of Ca from bone and dietIncrease in Ca Requirement after calving
Three hormones/vitamins involved in Milk Fever
Parathormone (increase serum Ca)Thyrocalcitonin (decrease serum Ca)Vitamin D (increase serum Ca)
Do cationic or anionic rations increase the incidence of milk fever?
Cationic
What are the 4 stages of milk fever?
1) Early stage2) Excitement stage3) Recumbant stage4) Unconscious stage
What are signs that the cow is responding to treatment for milk fever?
Belching, shivering, standing up, urinating, defecating, heart rate slows
Is dextrose needed for treatment of milk fever?
No because the cow is hyperglycemic
DCAD
Dietary Cation-Anion DIfference(Na + K) - (Cl + SO4)
What is another name for negative DCAD rations?
Acidogenic" rations
What are two methods to prevent milk fever?
1) Limit Ca during late dry period2) Feed negative DCAD
What is another name for Ketosis?
Acetonemia
What are the types of ketosis?
1) Starvation (mainly in sheep)2) Secondary (LDA, metritis, etc.)3) Primary (spontaneous)
Which VFAs are ketogenic?
Acetic AcidButyric Acid
What are some factors that lead to ketosis?
#NAME?
What are the two forms of clinical signs for ketosis?
1) Wasting form (most common)2) Nervous form
What field tests can you do for ketosis?
#NAME?
What are some types of treatments for ketosis?
#NAME?
Pregnancy Toxemia
A ketotic condition in does and ewes (occasionally in cows) that occurs in late gestation in animals receiving inadequate energy in their diets
Signalment of Pregnancy Toxemia
-Ewe in last trimester of pregnancy-Often a flock problem-Often occurs after "bad weather"-Parasitism can predispose to problem
What are some of the clinical signs for pregnancy toxemia?
You don't see anything until it has advanced-Blind-Head press-Demented-Will not eat-Episodic convulsions-Death
What are field tests that can test for pregnancy toxemia?
AcetestMultistix
How do you treat pregnancy toxemia?
Caesarian SectionGlucose IVOral propylene glycolHand feed concentrate
How do you prevent pregnancy toxemia?
#NAME?
Metabolic diseases of ruminants
#NAME?
What are other names for Hypomagnesemia?
Grass tetanyGrass staggersWheat poisoningLactation tetany
Hypomagnesemia
#NAME?
Where is magnesium found in animals?
60% in bone40% in soft tissues1% ECF
How well is magnesium mobilized?
Young - 30% rapidly mobilizedOld - inert
How much milk does it take to use all of the total available body Mg?
15 lbs of milk
What decreases Mg absorption?
-High dietary Ca-Dietary Na:K ratios (if <5:1)-Increase in rumen NH3-Alkalosis
What are the types of clinical signs for hypomagnesemia?
AcuteSub-acuteChronic
Acute Hypomagnesemia symptoms
-Develop in a few hours-Convulsions with frothing at mouth-Death may occur within 30-60 min-In absence of hypocalcemia, minimal to no tetanic activity is seen
What is the number one cause of death in beef cows in USA?
Acute Hypomagnesemia
Sub-Acute Hypomagnesemia
-Occur gradually over 3-4 days-Exaggerated limb movements, muscle tremors-Treatment effective, but tendency to relapse
Chronic Hypomagnesemia symptoms
#NAME?
Treatment for Hypomagnesemia
MgSO4 solution IVCa solution with Mg addedMgCl enema
Hypomagnesemia prevention
-Feed Mg salts daily during danger period-Top dress pasture with 25 lbs Mg rich fertilizer per acre-Delay calving until danger period is over if possible-Provide shelter in winter