Downer cow syndrome prof. Hamed Attia (causes types diagnosis and treatment)

1. Downer Cow syndrome
Prof . Dr Hamed Attia
Zagazig University
Faculty of veterinary
Medicine
Egypt
May 2017

2. Downer Cow syndrome
A downer cow (DC)
is an animal that is unable
to rise in a standing position
after 24 hours .
Definition:

3. Types of downer
1-ALERT DOWNERS
Causes:
1-Musclo-skeletal
(A) Dislocation of joints
(B) Fracture of the leg,
pelvis or spine.
(C) Rupture of
gastrocnemius tendon.
The animal that is unable to
rise but eats and drink normally .

4. 2- Calving injuries
(A) Too big of calf to pass through
the pelvis.
(B) Malpresentation of calf.
(C) Pulling calf too soon before cow
was ready to deliver.
(D) Cow strained too long to get the
calf out.
(E) Obturator nerve paralysis.

5. II-Not allert
((Downer with depression
Causes:
1-Metabolic
(A) Parturient paresis.
(B) Grass tetany.
(C) Ketosis.
(D) Fatty liver
(E) Late stage of
hypophosphatemia
The animal is recumbent ,not eat or drink

6. 2-Digestive
(A) Acute impaction
(B) T. reticulo - peritonitis
(C) Chronic diarrhea
(Dehydration)

7. (3) Infectious diseases causing downer:
• A-Septic metritis
• B-Acute masititis
• C-Acute laminitis
• D-Acute peritonitis
• E-Septic artheritis

8. Clinical symptoms
1-Complete absence of
appetite
2-Absence of defecation
and rumination.
3-Absence of ruminal
movement.

9. 4-Sever drop in milk yield.
5-Sins of dehydration.
• (6) Tachycardia and arrthymia
• (7) Temperature is usually high excpet
in digestive problems.

10. 1-Downer cow
2-Secondary
recumbency
3-Terminal
recumbency

11. Occurrence & % of downer
Milk Fever
Post calving
problems
Other causes
38% 12%46%

12. Diagnosis
• 1. Examining the
locomotor system,
especially the hind
limbs
• 2. Examining the
uterus and udder
• 3. Infectious cases
usually accompanied
with fever.

13. • 4-Laboratory:
• Estimation of ca ph Mg Glucose NEFA for
metbolic problems

14. Prognosis
– Prognosis is depending on:
– The primary cause
– The duration of recumbency
– The degree of muscle flaccidity
– The surface on which the cow is lying

15. Hopeful cases
• Hind Limbs are in normal
position .
• The animal is eating and
drinking
• The animal is trying to stand

16. • 1) Severe nerve
damage, fracture and
dislocation of hip
joints.
• 2) Both hind limbs are
spread laterally.
• 3) Absence of
voluntary movement
of hind limbs.
2-Hopless cases

17. Hygienic Treatment
• 1) Comfortable bedding
and roll the cow from
side to side several
times daily to minimize
the extent of ischemic
necrosis.
• 2) Palatable feed and
good quantity of water
supply.
• 3) Massage of limbs
may be successful
especially for muscle.

19. • 4-Body slang :
• Mechanically raising
the cow, followed by
hobbling, can help in
many cases :

20. 5-Water flotation devices

21. 2-Supportive Treatment
• 1) Injections of electrolytes contain Ca,
Mg, phosphate, tonics, potassium.
• 2) Large quantities of fluid therapy by oral
and parenteral route .
• 3) Poly-vitamins contain vitamin A, B, D
and E.
• 4) Steroidal and non steroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs .

22. 3-Medical Treatment
1.Each case:
Must be treated according to
their cause.