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Diseased or Injured Cattle Management


Written protocols should be in place and reviewed annually with your veterinarian and employees to ensure that certain procedures are carried out appropriately.  ​​​​

​Goal:

To provide treatment to assist the recovery of animals suffering from disease or injury

How to assess:

Review the diseased animal protocol to confirm that the following information is included and that appropriate criteria are being met: 

National Dairy FARM Program ​
  • Identify prognosis of disease
  • Segregate sick/injured animal and provide prompt medical care
  • Provide access to clean water and food at all time
  • Written identification and treatment protocols must be available for common diseases, including:
    • Mastitis
      • Evaluate milk from each quarter
        • If only flakes are present, treatment may not be necessary
        • If temperature is over 101.5°F, milk is abnormal, and/or the quarter is hard, antibiotic therapy and other treatment may be necessary, as recommended by VOR
    • Metritis
      • Routinely monitor fresh cows for foul-smelling, watery vaginal discharge with systemic signs of being ill, with or without a fever, up to 10 days post-calving
      • Treat with antibiotic prescribed by VOR
      • Voluntary waiting period before attempting to breed
    • Milk fever
      • Identify if the cow is non-ambulatory, up but unsteady, or abnormally lethargic, typically soon after calving
      • Treat with VOR-recommended product labeled for hypocalcemia treatment
    • Ketosis
      • Identify if early-lactation cow is showing signs of weight loss, depression, reduced feed intake, slight dehydration, and reduced rumen function
      • Determine ketone body level through urine, milk, or blood test
        • If levels are elevated, follow VOR-prescribed treatment to reestablish glycemic balance and reduces ketone body concentrations (e.g. dextrose solution, propylene glycol)
    • Displaced abomasum
      • Identify if the cow has a lack of appetite, decreased milk production, and decrease in rumen motility that leads to pinging when the abdomen is pinged
      • Treatment protocol will be determined by trained employee or VOR:
        • Rolling the cow 180 degrees or,
        • Surgery
    • Pneumonia
      • Identify if the cow has increased respiratory rate, fever, and potential decreased appetite
      • Treat with VOR-prescribed antibiotics
    • Infectious diarrhea
      • Identify if cow/calf has abnormal manure, reduced appetite, and dehydration
      • Treat with appropriate electrolytes, buffers, and, if needed, VOR-prescribed antibiotics
    • Retained placenta
      • Identify if placenta has not been expelled from cow after calving
      • VOR or trained employee will palpate reproductive tract to encourage expulsion of placenta
        • Hormone therapy may also be used in addition to VOR-prescribed antibiotic use to reduce the risk of infection
    • Dystocia
      • Administer local anesthesia, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and/or sedatives, as recommended by VOR 
      • If a cow has had a difficult calving that may have required assistance, seek the advice of the VOR for further treatment recommendations
  • Protocols for pain management in all age classes should be available
  • Post-treatment monitor animals to determine recovery or if additional treatment is required
  • Record all treatments in individual animal treatment records

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