Non-Ambulatory Dairy Cattle: A Review of the Analytical Literature and Analysis of Management

Abstract

This thesis includes a scoping review of the literature concerning non-ambulatory dairy cattle and an analysis of management of non-ambulatory dairy cattle in the Canadian dairy industry. Many studies included in the scoping review were observational studies measuring haematological risk factors for becoming non-ambulatory, while the controlled trial literature focussed on prevention through supplementation of vitamin D, calcium and anionic salts. On-farm prognostic indicators were identified as an area of research requiring further attention. Survey data were used to analyze associations between producer demographics and farm characteristics, and downer cow management. This analysis revealed that very few producers have written protocols for down cow management, that strong veterinarian-producer relationships and frequent veterinary visits promote collaboration in protocol development and euthanasia decisions, that there is geographic variability in down cow management, and that behavioral prognostic indicators are commonly used by producers. The results of this analysis could serve as a benchmark for comparison of how downer cow management in the Canadian dairy industry has changed since 2015.