Downer Cow Syndrome, Creeper Cows.

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Metabolic Diseases: Downer Cow Syndrome “Creepers” by

Dr. Ali H. Sadiek Prof. of Internal Veterinary Medicine and Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University E-mail: [email protected] prof. Ali sadiek

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Downer Cow Syndrome It is commonly fatal condition of dairy cows closely associated with the unsuccessful treatment of cases of Milk fever. It is ch. By : 1- Longevity of recumbency even after repeated Ca therapy. 2- Traumatic lesion of limbs, muscle ending in its necrosis. 3- Myopathy & necrosis of skeletal and even cardiac muscle. 4- Fatty infiltration of the liver. prof. Ali sadiek

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Causes I- Metabolic causes: 1. Complication of M. fever 2. Hypomagnesemia. 3. Ketosis. 4. Fatty liver 5. Imbalance on electrolytes e.g K after parturition. 6. Acute ruminal impaction II- Muscloskeletal causes 1. Fracture 2. Dislocation of hip joint. 3. Nerve injury 4. Traumatic lesions of the thigh muscles, prof. Ali sadiek

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Causes III- Toxic causes 1. Severe mastitis. 2. Severe metritis 3. Chronic pneumonia IV- Other causes of Downer cow syndrome: 1. Dystokia as a result of oversized fetus 2. Johne's disease, 3. Traumatic reticuoloperitonitis. 4. Long standing starvation and inannition

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Pathogenesis • Prolonged recumbency + Pressure of swelled muscle + ischemia of Muscles leed to ulceration, necrosis of major muscles of limbs, pelvis and injury of its nerve supply resulting in many complications e.g: 1- Ulceration and necrosis of msucles. 2- Cardiomyopathy (due to repeated Ca injection). • Mastitis. • Pneumonia.

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Clinical signs. 1. Prolonged recumbency, don’t raise within 24 hrs after two successive Ca injection. 2. Cows still conscious, eat little. 3. At first, normal temperature, increasing pulse. 4. Attempt to raise, make it creepy cows. 5. Extended hind limbs to right and left. 6. May fade to lateral recumbency. 7. In severe cases cows loose their appetite completely. prof. Ali sadiek

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Prognosis • • 1. 2. 3. 4.

50 % of cases may respond to therapy. Others came to complications of: Mastitis, Ulceration and necrosis of muscle and joints. Drenching pneumonia, Death.

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Downer cow

Cows still conscious

Acute Coliform Mastitis

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Ulceration and necrosis of muscle and joints

Downer cow- extended hind limbs (creepers)

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Downer cow- lateral recumbency

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Laboratory findings 1. Levels of blood Ca, P, Mg, glucose, blood picture may be normal or decreased 2. Albuminuria as a result of muscle necrosis. 3. Increased muscle enzymes (AST, CPK) 4. Ketonuria. 5. Increased Urea, creatinine that referes to poor prognosis.

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Treatment I- Medicinal: • 500 ml Ca - IV twice daily. • NSAID Acetyl-salycilate, phenyle-butazone • Cortizone

II- Supportive • Injection of Vit. E, Se. • Injection of electrolytes (K, Ca, Mg, P).

III- Hygienic Nursing • Nursing of downer cows e.g turning over, change beds (sandy or straw beds) and hanging the downer cow prof. Ali sadiek

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•Hanging of cows affected with nerve injury

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•Hanging the downer cow

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