Dairy cows are prone to various diseases that can affect their health, milk production, and overall well-being. And those factors can affect your bottom line. Early detection is key to prevent numbers from going downhill. Here are common dairy cow diseases that cow monitoring systems can help detect at an early stage.
Common Cow Diseases Monitoring Systems Can Help Detect
How to Detect A Common Cow Disease
Ketosis
Ketosis occurs when cows do not have or take in enough energy, usually after calving. The cow’s body starts breaking down fat for energy, leading to high levels of ketones in their blood. This disease can occur during the transition period, a crucial time in a cow’s life. Symptoms include loss of appetite, loss of body condition, lethargy, and sweet-smelling breath.
Read more about recognizing diseases during the transition period.
Mastitis
Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland, typically caused by bacteria. This often results in decreased milk production and quality. Signs include swollen, hard, or warm udders, and abnormal milk containing clots, pus or blood. Preventive herd management and efficient farm management are vital to manage this disease.
Curious to know more? You might also find this article interesting: The Power of Early Mastitis Detection in Dairy Cows.
Displaced Abomasum
Displaced Abomasum, also known as DA, occurs when the abomasum – the fourth stomach compartment – shifts from its normal position. Whenever this disease affects a cow, it’s oftentimes after calving.
Symptoms are loss of appetite, reduced milk production, and an abnormal ‘ping’ sound when the abdomen is tapped. Read more about detecting diseases after calving.
Johne’s Disease
This chronic, progressive bacterial disease affects the intestines of a cow. It causes severe diarrhea, weight loss, and therefore can be fatal. Johne’s disease is also known as paratuberculosis. It’s challenging to manage once established in a herd, emphasizing the importance of preventative measures.
Disease symptoms include progressive weight loss, diarrhea, and reduced milk production. It often occurs in older cows, but can be subclinical in some.
A cow monitoring system can clock whenever a cow is uncharacteristically (in)active, which can help spot discomfort and detect illness before true symptoms show.
Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis
Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis is also known as IBR. It affects the respiratory and reproductive systems. Symptoms may include nasal discharge, coughing, and decreased milk production. Vaccinations are available to help control this disease.
Commonly associated with pneumonia and death, but is also the cause of abortion and reproductive loss. Clinical signs are discharge from nose and eyes, rapid breathing, and high temperatures and weight loss. The effects vary per cow and herd.
Bovine Respiratory Disease
Bovine respiratory disease is also known as BRD, or simply called pneumonia. It’s often referred to as shipping fever, and it’s a complex disease that can cause severe illness. The most common symptoms include coughing, fever, and difficulty breathing. Especially calves can suffer from BRD. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent fatalities.
CowManager has a Youngstock Monitor, specifically created to monitor calf health. This may help with detecting BRD in an early stage.
Benefits of Monitoring
Staying Ahead of the Herd Together
A successful farmer is a prepared farmer. Always be ready for what's coming. Run your business proactively and make fact-based decisions with our data.
Improve Health & Production
Optimize your farm management by finding cows in heat and catching sick cows earlier, improving your herd’s health and production.
Increase Workload Efficiency
Divide your workload more efficiently thanks to real-time alerts. Focus on the right cow at the right time and be able to spend more time off-farm.
Dive Into Health Data
CowManager is a powerful cow monitoring system, especially when it comes to monitoring herd health and detecting cow diseases. Download our Demo App and we’ll take you on a virtual tour through all the possibilities.