A Herd-Level Study of Risk Factors for an Elevated Prevalence of Postpartum Diseases in Dairy Farms

Volume 1 - Issue 4

Jocelyn Dubuc*, Marjolaine Rousseau, Jean-Philippe Roy and Sébastien Buczinski

Received: May 07, 2018;   Published: May 22, 2018

DOI: 10.32474/CDVS.2018.01.000116

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Abstract

The objective of this herd-level study was to identify risk factors for an elevated prevalence of postpartum diseases such as displaced abomasum, Hyperketonemia, purulent vaginal discharge, cytological endometritis, leukocyte esterase endometritis, and prolonged an ovulation. A total of 100 commercial dairy farms participated in the study for which the unit of interest was the herd. Forty cows per herd (or all of the cows calving within a 1-year period if smaller than forty cows) were enrolled in the study representing a total of 3,776 cows which were followed until they reached 60 days in milk (DIM). Cows were examined for retained placenta (≥ 24h after calving), displaced abomasum (1-60DIM), Hyperketonemia (1-14DIM), purulent vaginal discharge (30-43DIM), cytological endometritis (30-43 DIM), leukocyte esterase endometritis (30-43DIM), and prolonged an ovulation (30- 57DIM). A number of management variables were also collected, including season, average herd size, average parity, housing systems for lactating cows and at calving, and type of bedding at calving. The prevalence of each of these diseases or management variables was computed. Logistic regression models were used to identify herd-level risk factors for the elevated prevalence of postpartum diseases in farms. Risk factors for an elevated prevalence of displaced abomasum included ≥5.0% retained placenta, ≥10.0% Hyperketonemia, smaller herd size (≤87 lactating cows), and cold season (November to April) of calving. Risk factors for an elevated prevalence of hyperketonemia were the tie-stall housing system at calving, herd average parity ≥2.7, and ≥5.0% retained placenta. Risk factors for an elevated prevalence of purulent vaginal discharge included ≥5.0% retained placenta, wood shavings as bedding at calving, and cold season (November to April) of calving. Risk factors for an elevated prevalence of cytological endometritis included ≥5.0% retained placenta, ≥10.0% hyperketonemia, and tie-stall housing system at calving. Risk factors for an elevated prevalence of leukocyte esterase endometritis were the same as for cytological endometritis. Risk factors for an elevated prevalence of prolonged an ovulation were ≥10.0% Hyperketonemia, ≥17.5% cytological endometritis, and cold season (November to April) of calving. Overall, an elevated prevalence of retained placenta and Hyperketonemia were two common risk factors for herds with an excessive prevalence of reproductive tract diseases and prolonged an ovulation.

Keywords: Dairy; Ovulation; Herd-Level; Disease; Risk Factors; Postpartum; Purulent Vaginal Discharge; Leukocyte Esterase Endometritis; Cytological Endometritis; Cytobrush Technique

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