Downer’s cow syndrome:
- It is condition in which a cow and buffalo remain in recumbent position for more than 24 hours.
- Affected animals are alert and bright but are unable to stand.
- Most common in exotic and crossbred dairy cows; especially H.F
- Most commonly as complication of milk fever
- 2-3 days after calving in heavy milk producer.
Etiology:
- Persistent hypocalcemia
- Low phosphorus level
- Low blood potassium level
- Low blood Mg level
- Muscular injury in confinement due to too much compression of limbs
- Nerve injuries
- Well bed obese cow during later part of pregnancy
Clinical Findings:
- Cow unable to rise and remain in recumbent position
- On stimulation, cow attempt to make rise
- Normal appetite, defecation and urination
- Temperature normal at early stage but later becomes sub-normal
- Affected cows crawls around utilizing the forelimb whereas hind limb remain in flexed position, stance called “creeper cow”
- Animal down for 7 days ends fatally.
Treatment:
- Animal should be provided most comfortable bedding prior to calving and in advanced stage of pregnancy. Sand is ideal bedding material.
- Early detection and treatment of milk fever
- Recently calved animals should be monitored at least 48 hours after parturition.
- Recumbent animals should be treated as soon as possible and not delayed for more than 1hour.
- Cow should be made to stand within a short time following parturition.
- Sling support should be provided if cow donot respond to treatment
- Potassium acetate may be given @30-50 gm PO for 5-7 days
- Use of muscle tonic- Tonophosphan @ 10-15 ml for 5 days
- Vitamin E and selenium combined preparation@ 1 ml/25-50 kg b.wt. IM for 3-5 days
- Use of nerve tonic injection B1+B6+B12 and corticosteroid therapy
- Massaging the legs for better circulation and nerve repair.