Page 339 - The Welfare of Cattle

316 the WeLfare of CattLe

per session of lifting cows with hip clamps were not found in published research. Only personnel
previously trained should use lifting devices, and they should only be employed with animals who
are able to support their own weight. If used incorrectly, devices designed to lift animals can result
in further damage to the downer and be a safety risk to both animal and humans. For example,
incorrect use of hip clamps has been associated with pain, pressure sores over the hook bones (Van
Metre et al., 1996), and laceration of the abdominal muscles (Stojkov et al., 2016). Furthermore,
using devices such as slings with one single belly strap can compress abdominal contents and hinder
breathing (Stull et al., 2007).
Repeated electric prod use is not appropriate or humane. Although the electric prod can stimu-
late a cow to rise, she will only rise if she is able to do so. While this may prove useful in an emer-
gency situation, for example, when a cow falls down in the parlor or in a poorly designed chute,
using the electric prod in a downer cow repeatedly only adds to stress and discomfort. Facility
design, standard operating procedures and appropriate personnel training prior to these events
should prove more effective than using the electric prod.
Other methods to help downer cows rise, such as flotation therapy have been found effective, but
are also dependent on the chronicity of the recumbency and the quality of nursing care provided to
the downer. Flotation therapy is associated with animal stress during the filling and draining of the
flotation tank (Stojkov et al., 2016), and should be only be performed by trained and skillful per-
sonnel after careful assessment of the animal. If done appropriately and depending on the primary
cause of recumbency, flotation therapy can be administered for up to 10 hours per day. This therapy
allows the cow to improve circulation to the limbs and strengthen her leg muscles while being sup-
ported by water (Van Metre et al., 1996).
Since nursing care influences both the recovery from the initial cause of recumbency and sec-
ondary damage, Poulton and colleagues (2016b) describe optimum nursing care as the treatment
to address the primary cause of recumbency as well as the secondary conditions resulting from
prolonged recumbency. Caretakers should place the downer in a location where they can provide
deep soft clean bedding, protect her from adverse weather conditions, assist with lifting when
appropriate, reposition every 6 hours, and maintain adequate hygiene. Additionally, caretakers
should provide access to good-quality water and feed, udder care for lactating animals, as well
as appropriately transport if needed. All these procedures require adequate labor, in terms of
number, training and skill. Although many have suggested a timeline for deciding to euthanize,
Poulton and colleagues (2016b) argue that if nursing care is adequate and animal welfare is not
compromised, the decision to euthanize shouldn’t be time dependent. On the other hand, if the
downer cow cannot be nursed under appropriate conditions, or if animal welfare is compromised,
caretakers should euthanize her. And even when excellent nursing care can be provided, eutha-
nasia should be performed if prognosis for recovery is poor and severe pain is evident (Poulton
et al., 2016b).
Despite all the compelling evidence stressing the importance of high-quality nursing care in
the successful management of downer cattle, the care of downer cows is often unappreciated and
lacking. Although most recently surveyed dairies indicated that they offered shelter to nonambula-
tory cows, some operations didn’t do so for several hours and 9.1% of operations didn’t offer downer
cows shelter at all. Likewise, water and food was offered on most dairy farms, but 2.6% and 3.4%
of operations didn’t offer water or food at any time, respectively (Adams et al., 2015a). While the
percentages of operations that didn’t offer shelter, water or food might seem insignificant, this lack
of appropriate nursing care results in compromised animal welfare as well as production losses
for dairy operations. Any primary condition, even one as common and easily treated as milk fever
could result in treatment failure if appropriate nursing care is not provided. Denying high-quality
nursing care in a timely manner to a downer animal compromises its well-being and chances of
recovery, and warrants considering euthanasia as the best course of action.