Possible Solutions For Multiple Symptoms
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Problem
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Symptoms
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Possible Causes
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Potential Solutions
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Poor Breeding
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"Silent heats" or few observed heats. Conception rates good but poor pregnancy rates.
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Inadequate time allow to observe. Cows in negative energy balance. Short on trace
minerals or vitamins.
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Review heat detection protocols. Test feed and balance diets. Add Accel Fortifier
1:50 to all diets at rate of 1 pound per 50 head daily.
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Poor Breeding
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Cows show heat but not settling. Heat detection rates good but poor pregnancy rates.
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Insemination technique or semen quality. Poor egg quality due to calving stress.
Mold and mycotoxins in feed.
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Review AI technique, equipment, semen. Add Accel Fortifier 1:50
to all diets at rate of 1 pound per 50 head. Test feed for molds and mycotoxins.
If high, discard or dilute feed. Add Accel MX600 to all diets at
rate of 50 pounds per 600 head daily.
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Acidosis
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Low butterfat test. Loose manure with undigested grain. Hoof problems evident by
redness and swelling just above hoof. Reduced cud chewing.
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Poor functional fiber. Grain too fine. Diets with high moisture and/or poor legume
forages. Reduced rumen microbes due to low rumen pH.
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Balance diets - addressing fiber. Change grind of grains. Supplement buffer. Feed
Tri-Mic 1:50 to pre-fresh, maternity and early fresh groups (to
14 DIM) at rate of 1 pound per 25 head daily. Feed to other lactating groups at
1 pound per 50 head daily.
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Ketosis
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Low blood sugar levels. Sweet smell of excess acetone on breath. Excess ketone bodies
in urine. Poor appetite, constipated, weight loss, lethargy and depressed milk production.
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Failure to receive adequate dietary glucose for production of milk sugar resulting
in animal utilizing body fat and tissue, producing an excess amount of ketone bodies.
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Maintain DMI during transition period. Use Tri-Start day of calving.
Drive intakes by adding Tri-Mic 1:50 to pre-fresh, maternity and
early lactation groups at rate of 1 pound per 25 head daily.
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Displaced Abomason (left-sided)
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Usually occurs within 30 of calving. Reduced dry matter intakes (DMI). Rapid weight
loss and cows are listless. Depressed milk production. Reduced or loose manure.
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Poor functional fiber. Secondary problem to other metabolic disorders.
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Review diets for function fiber. Reduce severity of drop in DMI during transition.
Use Tri-Start at calving. Increase rumen fill by drenching or free-choice
Bovine Accellyte II at calving. Feed Tri-Mic 1:50
to pre-fresh, maternity and early fresh groups (to 14 DIM) at rate of 1 pound per
25 head daily. Feed to other lactacting groups at 1 pound per 50 head daily.
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Milk Fever
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Occur within a few days after calving. Cows may stagger or lay down followed by
poor appetite, weak pulse, labored breathing, dull eyes and cold extrmities (ears,
teats, fetlocks). Lowered body temperature. Reduced blood calcium.
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Demand for calcium in milk production exceeds the body's ability to mobilize calcium
reserves. Low blood calcium levels interfere with muscle function.
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Balance diets, especially pre-fresh group. Use Freshen-Up immediately
after calving as an oral calcium supplement - by mixing 1 pound with water and drenching
or offered free-choice. Re-establish rumen micro-flora and appetite with Tri-Start.
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Heat Stress Dehydration
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Increased respiration, sweating, panting and water intakes. Decreased DMI, milk
production and reproductive performance. Elevated body temperatures, buffering saliva,
raising rumen pH. Imbalance of electrolytes.
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Core body temperature rises. Increased blood flow to skin reduces blood flow for
digestion and milk production. Increased panting reduces production of extra fat
and buffers.
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Consider use of fans/sprinkler systems. Feed high quality forages. Provide extra
shade and water. Feed during cooler part of day and more often. Adjust ration for
three to four days prior to heat stress, add Bovine Accellyte II
to ration at rate of 1 pound per 16 head daily.
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