Kohler P, Alsaaod M, Dolf G, O'Brien R, Beer G, Steiner A
Clinic for Ruminants, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland.
Clinic for Ruminants, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland.
J Dairy Sci. 2016 Nov;99(11):9080-9093. doi: 10.3168/jds.2015-10839. Epub 2016 Aug 31.
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.
在奶牛展览中，奶牛的乳房常常被过度挤奶以获得更好的展览名次。然而，“过度挤奶”对参展奶牛的健康和福祉的影响程度尚不清楚。本研究的目的是评估单次延长24小时的挤奶间隔（PMI）对泌乳早期和中期奶牛健康和福祉的可测量指标的影响，并评估非甾体抗炎药（NSAID）对PMI期间奶牛福祉的影响。对15头荷斯坦奶牛进行了泌乳早期（产奶89.5±2.7天）的研究，并采用交叉设计给予它们NSAID或生理盐水。10头奶牛在泌乳中期（产奶151.6±4.0天）再次进行研究。在24小时的PMI之前和期间，每隔1或2小时收集奶牛健康、行为和福祉的临床体征数据。将12小时挤奶间隔的最后6小时的数据与PMI的最后6小时的数据进行比较。与12小时挤奶间隔最后6小时的奶牛相比，泌乳早期（生理盐水组）的奶牛在PMI的最后6小时行为发生了变化：我们观察到采食时间减少（22.4对16.2分钟/小时）、反刍时间增加（13.3对25.0分钟/小时），行走时（评分41.7对62.6）和站立时（31.2对38.9厘米）后肢外展增加。在此期间乳房硬度增加（2.9对4.5千克），后肢承受的重量增加（46.4对47.0%）。我们还在PMI结束时发现了病理迹象：所有奶牛都出现了乳汁泄漏，15头奶牛中有10头在乳房皮下组织出现水肿。PMI后6小时至72小时体细胞计数显著增加。NSAID的给药对测量变量没有影响，除了氟尼辛组在PMI期间水肿的发生率没有显著增加（生理盐水组和氟尼辛组分别为15头奶牛中的10头和6头）。在泌乳中期的奶牛中，与基线值相比，PMI期间不同变量没有显著变化（例如采食和反刍时间、水肿的发生和外展）。我们得出结论，单次24小时的PMI损害了奶牛的健康和福祉，因为它们的行为发生了变化并记录到了病理迹象。NSAID的给药对PMI期间奶牛的福祉有轻微影响。泌乳阶段对奶牛的健康和福祉影响更大，因为泌乳中期变化的变量较少。
