Periparturient recumbency in cows

Abstract

Periparturient recumbency is a common problem in dairy cows (Blood and Rodostits, 1989). There are a number of causes of this condition, including metabolic diseases such as hypocalcaemia and hypophosphatemia, malnutrition and septic conditions (Blood and Rodstits, loc. cit.; Clark et al., 1987; Gerloff and Swenson, 1996; Smith et al., 1990). Biochemical and haematological tests have been used by several workers to identify factors involved in the recumbency, predict the likely outcome and determine treatment plan (Clark et al., loc. cit.). The purpose of the study was to evaluate clinical, haematological and biochemical test results derived from periparturient recumbent cows.