Monitoring for Transition Cow Issues

Todd Duffield, DVM, DVSctduffiel@uoguelph.ca

Monitoring for Transition Cow Issues

• What are the Issues ?• How do we find them ?• Do they matter ?• What can we do about them ?

FOCUS ON ENERGY METABOLISM

What are the Major Transition Cow Issues?

Goals Calve without problems

Avoid disease

Make lots of milk

Get pregnant by 120 DIM

Impediments RPDystociaMetritisKetosisDAMastitisRumen acidosis

LamenessEndometritisAnestrus Insemination

Severity, timing,and duration of

negative energy balance

HypocalcemiaImmune function

Cow environment

Feed intake

Ways to gain insight into the success of the processClinical disease

Production Measure DMIBCSUnderstanding cow experienceFeed access

Lying timeHousing design

NEFA, BHBA, etc

Time for transitions• Development of

lactation in mammary gland ~ 3 weeks

• Rumen microflora adaptation ~ 10 – 14 days

• Altering metabolic set-point ~ 6 weeks (?)

• Social adjustment to new group 2 d to 1 week

Monitoring Transition Cow Issues

• What are the Issues ?• How do we find them ?

Disease Incidence 2006 NA Study (Carson, 2008)

 Northeast

n=650Midwest

n=570Southeast

n=465West n=668 Total

Milk Fever 2% 3.3% 2.0% 2.5% 2.5%

Ketosis 6.0% 10.5% 6.4% 15.3% 9.6%

RP 5.2% 7.9% 7.9% 9.4% 7.6%

Metritis 5.7% 6.3% 19.5% 34.5% 16.5%

DA 4.5% 5.1% 4.6% 0.5% 3.7%

Problems with Clinical Disease?

• Frequently Poorly Recorded

• Disease Definitions not Standardized

• “After the Fact” in an Ideal Monitoring Program

• Probably LESS Sensitive than Metabolic “Subclinical” Tests

Clinical ketosis treatment rate is a poor estimate of ketosis

0

20

40

60

80

Herd

% S

ubcl

inic

al K

etos

is

012345678910

% C

linic

al K

etos

is In

cide

nce

SCK 1400 BHBA Clinical Ketosis

(Duffield et al 1998)

What about Milk Components?

• Subclinical Ketosis Associated with:– ↓ Milk protein %– ↑ Milk fat %At First DHI test postcalving

But…• Best test is PFR ≤ 0.75

– Sensitivity: 58%– Specificity: 69%

BOTTOMLINE: The test is CRAP.

Summary of Herd Level Tests for Identifying High Risk Herds for

SCK1. Subclinical Ketosis in 20% of Herd

at 1st of 2nd week postcalving

2. DA Incidence 5.0 %

3. 40% of Herd with Low PFR (< 0.75)[or approximately 0.70 in true protein system]

4. > 10 % of Herd Fat Precalving (BCS 4.0)

REQUIRES EXTERNAL VALIDATION: Only based on 25 Herds in SW Ontario

What about DMI?• Precalving DMI a good predictor of SCK

postcalving.

• U of G research:– < 12 kg DMI in last 3 weeks

= 6X Increased Risk of SCK.

• Problems– Getting it Measured– Demographics in Group

• Heifers• Lot’s close to calving

Frequency Distribution of DMI for 160 Holstein Cow and Heifers

during Last 3 Weeks Precalving

0200400600800

100012001400

Number of Occurrences

Kg

DMI

IndividualGOAL

2 S.D’s

1 S.D16.5% lower

Mean50% lower

Group Target

Typical patterns of DMI and NEFA

Overton/Burhans, 2001

Serum/Blood Metabolic TestsWhat Does Work?

• Energy Monitors in Transition Cows:– Precalving – NEFA– Postcalving – BHBA

• Calcium status within a few days of calving– hypocalcemia

• Haptoglobin– inflammation

• DO NOT USE AVERAGES – looking for EXCEPTIONS –Therefore % above or below a cutpoint for group interpretation

Focus ofTalk

↓ Ca, ↑ Culling risk but need more research

Non-specific but associated with metritis, need more data

J.M. Gay

The “Iceberg” Concept

Monitoring Transition Cow Issues

• What are the Issues ?• How do we find them ?• Do they matter ?

FOCUS ON ENERGY METABOLISM

Investigating or Monitoring Energy Metabolism in Transition Cows

• PreCalving - NEFA

• PostCalving - Ketones

Relationship between Precalving DMI and

serum NEFA

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2

NEFA (U/L)

DM

I (kg

)

DMI

R2 = 0.29

Prepartum NEFA cutpoints for predicting postpartum SCK

0.6

NEFA (mmol/L)

n P-value

OR

0.7 17 0.04 4.8

27 0.10 3.0

0.5 46 0.56 1.4

0.4 68 0.51 1.4

Osborne, 2003

Increased Pre-Partum NEFA Associated with:

↑ risk of LDA(Cameron et al, 1998; LeBlanc et al, 2005, Carson, 2008; Ospina et al, 2010)

↑ risk of RP and/or Metritis(Dyk, 1995; Carson, 2008; Quiroz-Rocha et al, 2009;Ospina et al, 2010)

↑ risk of ketosis(Osborne, 2003; Gooijer et al, 2004; Ospina et al, 2010)

↑ risk of early culling(Duffield et al, 2006)

↓ milk yield(Carson, 2008; Ospina et al, 2010)

↓ Pregnancy Risk(Ospina et al, 2010)

Cow-Level Associations of Pre-calving NEFA (mmol/L) with Disease/Production Outcomes

Weeks relative

to Calving

Author, Year Cut-point Outcome Impact P-Value

-1 Carson, 2008 0.3 Retained Placenta OR = 1.8 <0.001-1

Quiroz-Rocha, 2007 0.4 Retained Placenta OR = 1.2 <0.01

-1 Carson, 2008 0.3 Metritis OR = 1.8 <0.001-1 Carson, 2008 0.5 Displaced Abomasum OR = 2.4 <0.001-1 Leblanc, 2005 0.5 Displaced Abomasum OR = 3.6 <0.001-2 Ospina, 2010 0.3 DA, CK, Metritis OR > 1.8 <0.01-1 Carson, 2008 0.5 Milk Yield ↓ 1.6 kg/d 0.02-2 Ospina, 2010 0.3 Milk Yield ↓ 2.2 kg/d <0.01-1 Carson, 2008 0.3 1st Test LS ↑ 0.24 0.03-2 Ospina, 2010 0.3 Pregnancy Risk ↓ 18% <0.01

Days from calving

-20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10

Seru

m N

EFA

(mEq

/L)

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

Cows without DA (n = 1078)Cows with DA (n = 53)

LeBlanc et al, 2005

Precalving NEFA and Subsequent DHI Milk Yield

Carson, 2008

0 1 2 3 4 532

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41NEFA <0.5NEFA ≥0.5

DHI Test Number

Milk

Yie

ld (k

g/da

y)

Investigating or Monitoring Energy Metabolism in Transition Cows

• PreCalving - NEFA

• PostCalving - Ketones

Summary of Objective Serum BHBA Thresholds for

HyperketonaemiaThreshold Measure Risk Authorumol/L mg/dL1200 12 LDA 8X LeBlanc1400 14 LDA 3X Geishaus

er1200 12 LDA/Ketosis 3X Duffield1000 10 LDA/Ketosis/Metritis 2X Ospina1400 12 Repro (CR) 40% Walsh1400 14 Repro (CR) 55% Whitaker1000 10 Repro (Pregnancy

risk)13% Ospina

1400 14 Culling 2X Duffield1400 14 Milk Loss 1.9 kg Duffield1000 10 Milk Loss 1.3 kg OspinaNOTES: 1. Minimum Threshold = 1000 umol/L BHBA

2. Effect Increases with increasing BHBA concentration.3. Optimum Cutpoint 1000 to 1400 umol/L BHBA

When Do I Test?

02468

101214161820222426

-3 0 3 6 9

Weeks from Calving

% Subclinical Ketosis

MonensinPlacebo

Weeks: 1, 2, +/- 3 PostcalvingFrequency: every 1 to 2 weeksWho: ALL cows and 1st lactation heifers

Cow-side tests for ketosis(relative to serum BHB ≥1400 µmol/L)

MilkKeto-Test• 100 µmol/L

– Sensitivity = 83%– Specificity = 82%

• 200 µmol/L– Sensitivity = 54%– Specificity = 94%

Oetzel, 2004• Cost = $2/test• Powder lacks

sensitivity

The ONLY reliable milk ketone test

Cow-side tests for ketosis(relative to serum BHB ≥1400 µmol/L)

MilkKeto-Test• 100 µmol/L

– Sensitivity = 83%– Specificity = 82%

• 200 µmol/L– Sensitivity = 54%– Specificity = 94%

Oetzel, 2004• Cost = $2/test• Powder lacks

sensitivity

UrineKetostix

(read at 5 seconds)• “small” (15µmol/L)

– Sensitivity = 79%– Specificity = 96%

Carrier et al, 2004• Cost = $0.25/test• Acetest tablet lacks

specificity

The ONLY reliable

urine ketone test

Cow-side tests for ketosis(relative to serum BHB ≥1400 µmol/L)

MilkKeto-Test• 100 µmol/L

– Sensitivity = 83%– Specificity = 82%

• 200 µmol/L– Sensitivity = 54%– Specificity = 94%

Oetzel, 2004• Cost = $2/test• Powder lacks

sensitivity

UrineKetostix

(read at 5 seconds)• “small” (15µmol/L)

– Sensitivity = 79%– Specificity = 96%

Carrier et al, 2004• Cost = $0.25/test• Acetest tablet lacks

specificity

BloodPrecision XTRA

BHBA • Sensitivity = 87-93%• Specificity = 93-100%

Heuweiser,2007Oetzel, 2008

Burke,2008• Cost = $2/test

Precision XTRA:- Highly Accurate test- Like having the Lab in your Hand!

How do you know where you are

unless you look?

Keto-Test Monitoring Program Results

0

20

40

60

80

100

Febru

ary

Marc

hApril

May

Jun-Ju

ly

Test Number

Prevalence

Herd Monitoring Example – 100 Cow Freestall

1 SDGoal

2 SD

3 SD

Keto-Test Monitoring Program Results

0

20

40

60

80

100

Febru

ary

Marc

hApril

May Ju

ly

August

Septem

ber

October

December

Month

Prevalence

Herd Monitoring Example – 100 Cow Freestall

1 SDGoal

2 SD

3 SD

2 DA’s, 4 RP’s

What Do I Do With the Data?

A. MonitoringB. Problem Investigation

1. Group Interpretation - HERD LEVEL

– Identify/Dx problems and make changes prior to major losses

– Proactive rather than Reactive (if monitoring)

2. Individual Interpretation- INDIVIDUAL LEVEL

– Early treatment may ward off Clinical Disease

Purpose of Data Gathering

Level of Interpretation

Prevention

Treatment

Case Example 1A- Individual

• 80 Milking Cows in a Tiestall– Owner starts a weekly Keto-Test

monitoring program 1st week of September

• Tests all cows 3 weeks fresh Tuesday mornings

– Week 1: 0/6– Week 2: 0/5– Week 3: 1 / 4

• Owner calls because +ve Cow has a PING– I go – It’s an LDA– Farmer didn’t know she had a problem until he

tested!

Case Example 1B- Herd

• 80 Milking Cows in a Tiestall– Owner starts a weekly Keto-Test

monitoring program 1st week of September

• Tests all cows 3 weeks fresh Tuesday mornings

– Week 1: 0/6– Week 2: 0/5– Week 3: 1 / 4– Week 4: 0/5– Week 5: 1/6– Week 6: 1/8– Week 7: 7/10

Now What?

Herd Example 1B• Change was Real

– Testing was being done correctly• Of the 7 +ve:

– 1 was 500 umol/L– 3 were 200 umol/L– 3 were 100 umol/L

– CUD cows eating well– Changed to higher fiber, lower energy

Baleage– All cases were > 11 DIM

What’s Normal?

Cutpoints Used for Herd-Level Analysis – based on 2006 study

Parameter

Time Relative to Calving

Cutpoint Median Herd Prevalence

SUGGESTED HERD GOAL

NEFA - 1 Week Pre 0.5 mmol/L 25% < 3/12 +1 Week

Post1.0 mmol/L 20% < 2/12

BHBA +1 Week Post

1400 umol/L

15% < 2/12

High Risk Herds set at or above Median Herd Prevalence

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34 37 40 43 Herd

High Pre-Calving NEFA

High Risk Herds

Low Risk Herds

Validated* Herd-Alarm Levels

(Ospina et al, 2010)Time Relative to Calving

Parameter Cutpoint Alarm Level Prevalence

Mean Proportion of Herds Above Alarm Level

Prepartum NEFA (mEq/L)

≥ 0.3 15% 75%

Postpartum NEFA (mEq/L)

≥ 0.7 15% 65%

Postpartum BHBA (mg/dL)

≥ 12 15% 40%

*Alarm levels associated with:• ↑risk of DA & CK, ↓Pregnancy Rate, and ↓Milk Yield at the Herd-Level

Weekly prevalence of Subclinical Ketosis in Four

Large New York Dairies

14/04/2010

23/04/2010

02/05/2010

11/05/2010

20/05/2010

29/05/2010

07/06/2010

16/06/2010

25/06/2010

04/07/2010

13/07/2010

22/07/2010

31/07/2010

09/08/2010

18/08/2010

27/08/2010

05/09/2010

14/09/2010

23/09/2010

02/10/2010

11/10/2010

20/10/2010

29/10/2010

07/11/2010

16/11/2010

25/11/2010

04/12/2010

13/12/2010

22/12/2010

31/12/2010

09/01/2011

18/01/2011

27/01/2011

-10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Herd LHerd E

Using Precision Xtra BHBA ≥ 1.3 mmol/L(13 mg/dL)

Weekly prevalence of Subclinical Ketosis in Four

Large New York Dairies

14/04/2010

23/04/2010

02/05/2010

11/05/2010

20/05/2010

29/05/2010

07/06/2010

16/06/2010

25/06/2010

04/07/2010

13/07/2010

22/07/2010

31/07/2010

09/08/2010

18/08/2010

27/08/2010

05/09/2010

14/09/2010

23/09/2010

02/10/2010

11/10/2010

20/10/2010

29/10/2010

07/11/2010

16/11/2010

25/11/2010

04/12/2010

13/12/2010

22/12/2010

31/12/2010

09/01/2011

18/01/2011

27/01/2011

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Herd LHerd EHerd DHerd S

Monitoring Transition Cow Issues

• What are the Issues ?• How do we find them ?• Do they matter ?• What can we do about them ?

FOCUS ON ENERGY METABOLISM

1. MONITOR

– Need to Know Where You Are– Need to Detect Change

Transition Cow IssuesKey Prevention Strategies

Cutpoints Used for Herd-Level Analysis

Parameter

Time Relative to Calving

Cutpoint Median Herd Prevalence

HERD GOAL

NEFA - 1 Week Pre 0.5 mmol/L 25% < 3/12 +1 Week

Post1.0 mmol/L 20% < 2/12

BHBA +1 Week Post

1400 umol/L

15% < 2/12

High Risk Herds set at or above Median Herd Prevalence

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34 37 40 43 Herd

High Pre-Calving NEFA

High Risk Herds

Low Risk Herds

Variables Associated with High Risk Herds

Variable Odds Ratio’s (p-value) for High Risk Herds Classified by:

> 25% Wk -1 NEFA ≥ 0.5

> 20% Wk +1 NEFA ≥1.0

> 15% Wk +1 BHBA ≥ 1.4

Wreck (All 3 categories)

Fresh Group 6.0 (P=0.03)

4.3 (P=0.04)

9.0 (P=0.01)

3 Transition Rations

0.17 (P=0.04)

Heifers and Cows mixed in Close-up Group

5.0 (0.07) 9.0 (0.05) --- data too sparse---

Anionic diet fed to Close-ups

0.21 (0.02) 0.22 (P=0.02)

0.16 (P=0.03)

Cows calve in Maternity pens

3.7 (0.04)= “Social Stress”

Relationship Between Mean Herd Precalving NEFA and Close-up Diet NDF

R2 = 0.30

20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0%0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

NEFA versus NDFLinear (NEFA versus NDF)

NDF %

NEF

A (m

mol

/L)

High NDF Limits Intake

Relationship Between Mean Herd Precalving NEFA and Close-up Diet NDF

R2 = 0.30

High NDF Limits Intake20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0% 40.0% 45.0% 50.0% 55.0% 60.0% 65.0%

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

StrawNo Straw

NDF %

NEF

A (m

mol

/L)

1. MONITOR2. MANAGEMENT

Transition Cow IssuesKey Prevention Strategies

Transition Cow IssuesKey Prevention Strategies

1. MONITOR2. MANAGEMENT 3. MANAGEMENT

1. MONITOR2. MANAGEMENT 3. MANAGEMENT4. MANAGEMENT

Dry Matter Intake

Transition Cow IssuesKey Prevention Strategies

Failure to ALLOW cows to eatis an International problem

Australia

Canada

Mexico

1. MONITOR 2. MANAGEMENT3. MANAGEMENT4. MANAGEMENT

5. Feed Additives1. Rumensin2. Propylene Glycol3. Rumen protected choline4. Yeast5. Others?

Transition Cow IssuesKey Prevention Strategies

Definitely Maybe – Temporary Fix Selected Use – Fat Cows Transition Cows Benefit? Efficacy / Economics?

↑ Dry Matter Intake

A Poor Transition Matters:1. Reduced Health2. Lost production3. Impaired Reproduction4. Risk of Culling

LOOK! To see where you are MONITOR

CONCLUSIONSTRANSITION COW ISSUES

1. MONITOR

ENERGY METABOLISM :

- Precalving: Need to use NEFA - Need a Cowside NEFA test to improve practicality

- Postcalving: Choose a KETONE test that suits you.

CONCLUSIONSTRANSITION COW ISSUESKey Prevention Strategies

1. MONITOR 2. MANAGEMENT3. MANAGEMENT4. MANAGEMENT

CONCLUSIONSTRANSITION COW ISSUESKey Prevention Strategies

DMI ↑ =

Social Stress ↓Feed Quality ↑BCS ↓Feed Access ↑

1. MONITOR 2. MANAGEMENT3. MANAGEMENT4. MANAGEMENT

5. Feed Additives ?-use the ones withproven Science.

CONCLUSIONSTRANSITION COW ISSUESKey Prevention Strategies

DMI ↑ =

Social Stress ↓Feed Quality ↑BCS ↓Feed Access ↑

Questions? or

Discussion