Page 338 - The Welfare of Cattle

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cow is identified as a downer, should also help prevent further damage associated with prolonged
recumbency. Downer cows have greater chances of recovery if treated within 24 hours of becoming
recumbent, and unlikely recovery if treatment is begun after 48 hours of recumbency (Stojkov et al.,
2016). Six to twelve hours into recumbency, the downer cow will start showing signs of pressure
damage to the hind leg located underneath the body. Pressure on the limb will cause damage to the
sciatic nerve and necrosis to the muscles of the hind legs (Cox et al., 1982). Additionally, femoral
nerve damage is a common finding in downer animals, affecting two thirds of all downer dairy
cows (Poulton et al., 2016a).
Secondary damage is a significant cause of animal losses in the form of death or euthanasia on
dairy operations. In fact, after being down for more than 24 hours, secondary damage has greater
influence on the downer’s ability to recover than the primary cause of recumbency. In a study by
Poulton and colleagues (2016a), secondary damage was solely responsible for close to three quarters
of the cows that didn’t recover. The same study revealed that 13% of downer cows that were eutha-
nized or died were lost due to a combination of the primary cause of recumbency and secondary
damage. Green and colleagues (2008) reported greater chances of recovery for animals recumbent
for less than 24 hours and recommend considering euthanasia for those animals recumbent for lon-
ger than 24 hours, based on the welfare issues and chances of recovery associated with prolonged
recumbency. Secondary damage must be assessed and in all cows recumbent for a prolonged period
(more than 12 hours of recumbency). If present, secondary damage must be addressed in conjunc-
tion to treating the primary cause of recumbency.
Animals with a good prognosis and receiving treatment for the primary cause of recumbency
should be assessed twice a day for signs of improvement or worsening and should receive the high-
est quality nursing care, as it determines the downer’s ability to successfully recover.
While assessing the downer animal, caretakers should address hydration deficits, inflamma-
tion, and infection or metabolic challenges (Stull et al., 2007). Good nursing practices that improve
the odds of recovery include providing access to clean water and feed, repositioning frequently,
and placing her in an area with clean and deep bedding, or a shaded area in the pasture. While
water and food address some hydration and nutritional needs, repositioning frequently (at least
every 6 hours, or four times a day) as to alternate the hind leg located underneath the body will
help prevent compression damage to muscles and nerves. The surface where the downer cow lies
should provide cushion, good traction, in case she attempts to rise, and reduce the opportunity for
abrasions, secondary infections, and ischemic muscle necrosis. Additionally, the downer should
be provided shelter against inclement weather, as excessive heat, cold, wind, and precipitation can
exacerbate signs of illness and limit its ability to recover. If housed in a sick pen, this area must not
be crowded, and some suggest that the downer should be housed with not more than two other cows
(Stull et al., 2007). Crowded pens could result in further injury to the downer animal and safety
risks for caretakers.
It is not uncommon for cows to become recumbent in places other than the sick pen. When a
cow falls down in the milking parlor, an alleyway or her home pen, she should be transported to an
area where she can be assessed and treated safely. Downers should never be dragged; this inhumane
practice results in additional stress and can cause further injury. When transportation is required,
it should be done in such a way as to minimize discomfort and prevent further injury, as well as to
minimize safety risk for the caretakers. Downer cattle can be rolled into a loader bucket or pulled
on a pallet or sled. Either of these methods for transporting downers require properly trained care-
takers working as a team.
Besides providing a surface that allows the animal to more safely attempt to rise (deep, clean,
bedding with traction), caretakers can assist cows to stand in several ways. Although a majority
of dairy owners have reported experience with lifting devices and found them useful (Cox, 1986),
there is a lack of literature and guidance as to how to best use them in a way that minimizes further
damage and stress (Stojkov et al., 2016). Recommendations on how frequent and the time length