Importance and management of transition period in dairy cattle

Dr. Santosh Kumar, Touring veterinary officer, Balrampur, Katihar-854317

Email id- drsant79@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION

The term “transition” refers to the process of dry cow in late pregnancy, calving and early lactation. Transition period was considered 4 weeks pre calving until 4 weeks post calving(Curtis et al 1985).  As we learned more about the cow physiology, this period expended to 60days pre calving to 30 days post calving. Thus 90 days makes the transition period for dairy cattle.

Transition period is characterized by increased risk of diseases due to changes in calcium, phosphorus homeostasis and energy balances. Metabolic changes take place during transition period due to change in its physiology. Metabolic disorders occur when dairy cow cannot successfully adapt to all the physiological changes .These disease complexes are interrelated. The occurrence of one can increase the risk of another and also predisposes the cow to infectious diseases. Nearly 50% of dairy cows suffer from metabolic disorders and mastitis during this period. This period has immense effect on production of cattle as well as reproductive performances. This is very important period economically for livestock owners.

Common transition period diseases and their economic importance

1. Subclinical hypocalcaemia and milk fever – 60-70%of dairy cows suffer from subclinical hypocalcaemia of which 5-7% goes into milk fever. These condition leads to loss in milk production,3 fold increased risk of dystokia,retention of placenta (ROP),metritis , prolapse and abomasal displacement; 9fold increased risk of ketosis and mastitis. Milk fever if left untreated results in death of dairy cow.
2. Bovine ketosis – 50% of lactating cows has subclinical ketosis whereas 6% shows clinical ketosis. This leads to marked loss of milk production (25-100%), 2 fold increased risk of ROP, DA & mastitis; delayed postpartum oestrous and reduced conception rates and increased risk of milk fever.
3. Hypophosphatemia and Post Parturient Haemoglobinuria – This lead to marked drop in milk production, abortion, delayed postpartum oestrous, high case fatality rate and long convalescent period.
4. Subclinical ruminal acidosis – This leads to decreased milk production, reduced milk fat, poor body condition score and unexplained death.
5. Subclinical and clinical mastitis – This leads to decreased milk production.

MANAGEMENT

• Drying off cow – For proper maintenance and to reduce chance of post calving mastitis the cow should be dried off at least two months before parturition. This can be done by reducing forages and skipped milking. As cows dried off, individuals should be treated with a dry cow antibiotic and a teat sealant. To further minimize exposure to mastitis causing pathogens, dry cow area should be clean and animal immunity should be high. This is achieved by providing minerals especially copper,zinc,selenium and vitamin E. close up dry cow (cows within 3 weeks of expected calving date) should begin receiving some of the forages they will be fed after calving. This enables them to transition quickly to the milking ration.
• Calcium homeostasis– this can be managed by providing good exercise to close up cows. Injection of vitamin D@20000iu/kg im twice at weekly interval is good. Oral calcium preparation like calup gel 2tubes daily just before calving and after 6-7 hours post calving is good. Feeding low DCAD diet like hyporid @ 90gm daily7 days pre calving to 3 days post calving is very much promising.
• Phosphorus homeostasis– this is maintained by providing mineral mixture @ 50gm/day.
• Negative energy balance– dairy cow should be offered ground maize @ 1-2 kg daily during transition periods. Gluconeogenic precursor like E-booster or anabolite should be offered @ 50 ml daily 30days peripartum.
• Ruminal pH – In early lactation to meet negative energy balance diet should contain slower digesting starch source such as dry shell corn instead of wheat or barley. This will minimize the risk of decrease in rumen pH and hence subclinical ruminal acidosis. Diet should be added with buffering agent like bufzone @ 100gm. twice weekly.
• Miscellaneous – a) The immune status of fresh cows (recently calved) are depressed hence these cows should not be housed with diseased cows.

1. b) Some feed additive, ruminally protected choline and monensin, should be added.
2. c) A good calving environment reduces the exposure of cows to infectious diseases.

d)Delayed parturition and retention of placenta (placenta that failed to expelled out within 12 hrs.) should be taken care of by expert veterinary practitioner.

1. e) Warm water and some wheat bran should be offered to them after calving.
2. f) Fresh cows should be closely watched for health problem, feed intake and milk production. Animals having health problems should be identified and treated accordingly.

CONCLUSION

By proper management of dairy cows in transition period livestock owner can improve milk production and reproductive performances .Thus owners can improve their economic status.

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