Dirty cows cost you money by not cycling or conceiving with fewer days in milk and a higher empty rate. The latest research shows they do not self cure, so get onto checking them early.
Dirty cows can take up to 4 weeks longer to get in calf and have empty rates 10 to 30% higher than clean cows. It's vital to minimise the negative effect dirty cows have on your herd. A simple check and treat programme will result in better fertility; earlier calving; more days in milk and more income.
Dirty cows generally have a disease of their uterus called endometritis. All cows have bacteria in their uterus after calving, but 10 - 20% progress to having endometritis because they are unable to clear this bacterial infection naturally. Endometritis affects the ability of cows to cycle and conceive. The result is more empty cows and fewer days in milk due to prolonged calving. No herd escapes endometritis.
Cows at risk of endometritis are easily recognized as they have complications during pregnancy or calving. However, other cows with endometritis do not have these risk factors, show few signs and usually go unnoticed. This is why we MetricheckTM the herd - a simple examination of all cows by collecting a sample of mucus from their vagina. We look for pus, any pus indicates infection and the need to treat.
Latest research shows the earlier we do this examination, the better. If we delay investigation, we miss the opportunity to diagnose and provide benefit to more cows. This allows treatment of pus-positive cows earlier, and this same research also demonstrated that treatment of endometritis prior to 28 days post calving gives a better result that treatment later on.
After calving and prior to mating, we can do a few simple things to minimise the effect of endometritis in your herd. We recommend the following 3 steps:
Step 1
Identify and Record all At Risk cows that have the following complications around calving.
Abnormal calving (e.g. assisted, slips, inductions, dead calves, twins, calving paralysis).
Retained membranes (cleanings).
Vaginal discharge.
Metabolic diseases (e.g. milk fever).ï€
Step 2
Treat all At Risk cows.
Treating all At Risk cows with the nil milk withholding intrauterine antibiotic (Metricure®) is highly effective, and this is best done 14 - 28 days after calving, and at least 35 days before mating.
Step 3
Metricheck the herd, and treat any cow with pus.
To achieve optimal results, this is best done 14 - 28 day post calving, and 35 days before mating.
The sooner dirty cows are detected and treated, the better the outcome and return. More than one farm visit may be required, so this provides a great opportunity to discuss any other animal health issues around this time.
By helping you to give all cows in your herd a clean bill of health before mating, you'll get off to a good start for next season.
Call us to discuss a post-calving health check. We can treat endometritis and identify other factors that will improve mating performance this season.
Prescription Animal Remedy (P.A.R.) Class 1. For use only under the authority or prescription of a veterinarian. Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, No: A7394. Contains cephapirin benza¬thine. ®Registered trademark. Schering-Plough Animal Health Limited, 33 Whakatiki Street, Upper Hutt. Phone: 0800 800 543. MET-276-2010.
September 2010