Survival associated with cerebrospinal fluid analysis in downer adult dairy cows: A retrospective study (2006‐2014)

Abstract

BackgroundThreshold values for total nucleated cell count (TNCC) and protein concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of downer dairy cows suggestive of a spinal cord lesion were recently published.ObjectivesDetermine short‐ and long‐term survival of downer cows that underwent CSF analysis using the reported threshold values. Evaluate the prognostic value of these threshold values to predict short‐ and long‐term survival.AnimalsTwo hundred and fourteen downer adult dairy cows that underwent CSF analysis during hospitalization at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vétérinaire (CHUV) of the Université de Montréal.MethodsRetrospective study. Medical records of downer adult dairy cows presented to the hospital between January 2006 and October 2014 for which CSF analysis results were available were studied. Short‐term (discharge from hospital) and long‐term (completion of lactation) survival were determined and compared in accordance with CSF TNCC and protein concentration, using a Chi‐square test.ResultsCows with CSF TNCC and/or protein concentration above the threshold values had a significantly lower short‐term survival rate (P = .02). The odds of nonsurvival of cows with one or both CSF values above the threshold values was 2.16 times higher than the odds for cows with values under the threshold values. CSF TNCC >4.5 cells/μL had sensitivity and specificity of 17.3% (95% CI: 10.7%‐25.7%) and 92.3% (95% CI: 85.4%‐96.6%), respectively, for predicting short‐term nonsurvival. CSF protein concentration >0.39 g/L had sensitivity and specificity of 20.9% (95% CI: 13.7%‐29.7%) and 91.4% (95% CI: 84.2%‐96.0%), respectively.ConclusionsCSF analysis above threshold values used in this study is associated with increased odds of short‐term nonsurvival.

Cerebrospinal fluid analysis in 58 ruminants showing neurological disorders

“…Collection and analysis of CSF from animals suffering from spinal cord trauma is valuable for ruling out other causes of acute spinal cord disease, such as viral, verminous, and protozoal myeloencephalitis (Mayhew 2009). In fact, increases in proteins concentrations (>0.39g/L) and nucleated cell counts (>4.5 cells/μL) in the CSF of recumbent cows have been linked to spinal cord injury (Achard et al 2017) and to decreased short-term survival (Bilodeau et al 2018). Accordingly, firm evidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage may not always be found on analysis of CSF in spinal cord trauma (Mayhew 2009), as in our cases.…”

Downer cow syndrome causing rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure in a 17-month-old Guzerá heifer

“…Additionally, experimental studies have suggested that significant pressure damage can occur in the compressed forelimbs as early as 6 hours after sternal recumbency has begun (COX et al, 1982;COX, 1988). Euthanasia has been recommended for nonambulatory cows with more than 24 hours of recumbency (BILODEAU et al, 2018). Therefore, the heifer's overweight condition and non-observance of animals during transportation to avoid recumbency were probably the determinant factors for the development of DCS in this case.…”

“…Highly productive and older dairy cows are at great risk of developing DCS, which frequently occurs within 24 hours after calving (COX, 1988;BILODEAU et al, 2018;LABONTÉ et al, 2018). Clinical hypocalcemia, stillbirth, and dystocia were identified as risk factors for DCS in dairy cattle during the first 30 days after parturition (CORREA et al, 1993).…”

“…This condition is associated with systemic clinical signs related to extensive muscular damage (KIKTA et al, 1987). Recently, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was presented as a valiable prognostic tool, in which CSF total nucleated cell count >4.5 cells/μL and protein concentration >0.39 g/L were associated with a poorer short-term survival in downer adult dairy cows (BILODEAU et al, 2018). Additionally, hypertroponinemia (>0.7 ng/mL) and tachycardia (>100 bpm) were associated with reduced survival in dairy cows affected by DCS (LABONTÉ et al, 2018).…”

“…Downer cow syndrome (DCS) is defined as the inability and unwillingness of an alert cow to stand for 12 hours or more (COX & ONAPITO, 1986;COX, 1988;BILODEAU et al, 2018). Other definitions include all nonambulatory cattle (alert or non-alert) that are unable to stand for any duration of time without assistance.…”