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Acute post-parturient haemoglobinuria in dairy cows and phosphorus status
C R Stockdale1, T E Moyes, R Dyson
1Primary Industries Research Victoria-Kyabram, 120 Cooma Road, Kyabram, Victoria 3620.
Australian Veterinary Journal
|July 1, 2005
Summary
Low dietary phosphorus may predispose dairy cows to acute hemoglobinuria post-calving. Fat cows showed lower plasma phosphorus, with affected individuals exhibiting critically low levels, suggesting a link between phosphorus deficiency and this condition.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Nutrition
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Acute hemoglobinuria is a serious condition in dairy cows.
- Nutritional management, particularly energy and protein balance, is crucial for dairy cows in late pregnancy and early lactation.
- Phosphorus (P) is an essential mineral for metabolic processes in cattle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of nutritional management, specifically energy and protein concentrations in pre-calving diets, on the incidence of acute hemoglobinuria in dairy cows.
- To assess the relationship between body condition score (thin vs. fat cows) and plasma phosphorus levels post-calving.
- To determine if dietary phosphorus deficiency is a predisposing factor for acute hemoglobinuria.
Main Methods:
- Experiment involving 72 dairy cows, divided into thin and fat groups, fed one of three diets varying in energy or protein pre-calving.
- Post-calving, cows grazed and received concentrate pellets.
- Plasma inorganic phosphorus concentrations were measured in cows during the first 6 weeks of lactation.
Main Results:
- Four cows (out of 72) developed acute hemoglobinuria 2-4 weeks post-calving; all were fat cows.
- Plasma P concentrations were significantly lower in fat cows (0.87 mmol/L) compared to thin cows (1.12 mmol/L) during early lactation.
- Affected cows had plasma P concentrations below 0.3 mmol/L, with other asymptomatic cows showing similarly low levels.
Conclusions:
- Inadequate dietary phosphorus may predispose dairy cows to acute hemoglobinuria.
- Body condition, specifically being fat, was associated with lower plasma phosphorus levels post-calving.
- While phosphorus deficiency appears to be a predisposing factor, the exact precipitating cause of acute hemoglobinuria requires further investigation.