With calving now underway and daylight starting to increase, this is what vets are seeing this season;
More prolapsed uterus cases – this is often a sign that cows may be suffering subclinical milk fever
Refer to previous article for notes on springer cow management https://www.fvmatamata.co.nz/post/minimizing-your-chance-of-milk-fever-what-we-know
Larger calves – this appears to be associated with heifers mated to dairy beef and embryo transfer recipients
Often Caesarean section is required to give the valuable (esp. ET) calf the best chance of survival
Several of these have been induced in the week prior to their due date to help prevent issues
Down cows with severe neurological (paralysis) issues
Cows appear to be in better condition this year and this can make them more prone to secondary injury once down
Many of these cows fail to stand and farmers need to be decisive when considering welfare aspects for these cases
Some isolated cases of calf scours
Keep focusing on hygiene and colostrum management
Multimin® has scientifically validated claims to minimize neonatal calf diseases
1ml given at birth will reduce clinical disease and deaths by 50%
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