Classification of Dairy Cows Affected with Postpartum Astasia by Clinical Findings

Abstract

Data were collected from 60 dairy cows affected with postpartum astasia and analyzed by quantificotion model No.3 to obtain rather reliable bases of rapid diagnosis and emergency treatment of this disorder.As a result, it was possible to classify the cows into five groups on the basis of seven general clinical signs most commonly encountered. These signs were nutrition, cutaneous temperature, appetite, movement of the rumen, force of the tail, conjunctiva of the eye, and consciousness. Then the concentrations of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in serum were estimated in the cows of each group. As a result, it was clarified that the injection with a calcium preparation which had been carried out indiscriminately in dairy cows suffering from postpartum astasia for the purpose of diagnostic treatment could be reduced in number of times without reducing the effect of the treatment.