A single prolonged milking interval of 24 h compromises the well-being and health of dairy Holstein cows

Abstract

Cows are often shown at dairy shows with overfilled udders to achieve a better show placing. However, it is unclear to what degree "over-bagging" affects the health and well-being of show cows. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of a single prolonged milking interval (PMI) of 24h on the measurable signs of health and well-being in dairy cows in early and mid-lactation and to assess the effect of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) on well-being during a PMI. Fifteen Holstein cows were studied in early lactation (89.5±2.7d in milk) and were given an NSAID or physiological saline in a crossover design. Ten cows were studied again in mid-lactation (151.6±4.0d in milk). Data on clinical signs of cows' health, behavior, and well-being were collected at 1 or 2h intervals before and during a PMI of 24h. Data from the last 6h of a 12h milking interval were compared with the last 6h of the PMI. Compared with that of a cow in the last 6h of a 12-h milking interval, the behavior of cows in early lactation (saline group) changed during the last 6h of the PMI: we observed decreased eating time (22.4 vs. 16.2min/h), increased ruminating time (13.3 vs. 25.0min/h), and increased hind limb abduction while walking (score 41.7 vs. 62.6) and standing (31.2 vs. 38.9cm). Udder firmness was increased (2.9 vs. 4.5kg) during this period and more weight was placed on the hind limbs (46.4 vs. 47.0%). We also found pathological signs at the end of the PMI: all cows showed milk leaking, and 10 of 15 cows developed edema in the subcutaneous udder tissue. Somatic cell count was significantly increased from 12h to 72h after the PMI. Administration of an NSAID had no influence on measured variables, except that the occurrence of edema was not significantly increased during PMI in the flunixin group (10 of 15 and 6 of 15 cows for the saline and flunixin groups, respectively). In the cows in mid-lactation, different variables were not significantly changed in the PMI compared with baseline values (e.g., eating and ruminating time, occurrence of edema, and abduction). We conclude that the cows' health and well-being were compromised by a single PMI of 24h, because their behavior changed and pathological signs were recorded. Administration of an NSAID had a slight effect on cows' well-being during a PMI. The stage of lactation had more effect on the cows' health and well-being, because fewer variables were changed in mid-lactation.

Slightly and Moderately Lame Cows in Tie Stalls Behave Differently From Non-lame Controls. A Matched Case-Control Study

“…Rumination is often assumed to be associated with good animal health (66) and well-being, especially when the cows are ruminating while lying (4); by implication, ruminating in an upright position is assumed to be associated with poor cow comfort and well-being. Further, an increased time of ruminating upright was recently reported in cows with an impaired well-being due to a prolonged milking interval, which was interpreted as a potential replacement activity for a reduced eating time (67). The fact that the lame cows in the current study spent more time Rumi up instead of Rumi down might be another measure of the impact of lameness on the well-being of tied dairy cows.…”

Risk Factors for Deterioration of the Clinical Condition of Cull Dairy Cows During Transport to Slaughter

“…A study by Bertulat et al ( 30 ) showed higher udder pressure after sudden dry-off as well as elevated levels of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites, interpreted as an indirect indicator of stress related to pain. Similarly, Kohler et al ( 31 ) investigated the potential effects of a prolonged milking interval (24 h) and found increased udder pressure, decreased eating time as well as changes in locomotion such as an increased abduction of the hind legs, possibly to avoid pressure on the udder. In the present study, the risk factors for milk leakage were early lactation (< 100 DIM) and distance transported (>100 km).…”

Short communication: Risk factors for sonographically detectable udder edema in overbagged cows at dairy shows

“…Because correlation with milking interval was high, udder edema seems to represent a pathological sign. Kohler et al (2016) demonstrated the negative effect on a cow's health and behavior after a prolonged (24-h) milking interval. Therefore, overbagging represents a remarkable welfare issue.…”

“…This practice is common and aims to increase the size of the udder to show the judge the milking potential of a cow. This represents an animal welfare issue because the cows' well-being is disturbed after prolonged milking intervals (PMI; Kohler et al, 2016); changes in behavior and nonphysiological status were identified in cows after PMI. Nonphysiological processes included milk leaking and edema formation.…”