Clinical practice of drying off in cattle

Question 1

HIGH-PRODUCING COWS

Answer 1

• Cows are classified into 4 categories
0= no udder pain;
1= light udder pain;
2= moderate udder pain and
3= severe udder pain
• Pain sensitivity has been quantified using mechanical (= algometers )
• Dry-our threshold values indicate that there is increased pain.
• To date, those methods have been used in dairy cows mainly to assess pain associated
to lameness or mastitis.
• Recently, an udder pain score has been described for assessing pain due to udder
engorgement in dry cows
• Cows producing higher quantities of milk at dry-off ( > 20 Kg/day) have larger
volumes of mammary secretion during early involution than cows producing less milk
(< 15 Kg/day).
• Dry-off involves the cessation of milking in cows still producing significant quantities
of milk yields like 20-35 kg/day and in some cases up to 50 Kg/day.
• The risk of discomfort associated with udder engorgement at dry-off is higher in high-
producing cows.
• Intra-mammary pressure peaks 2 days after dry-off and decreases afterwards but is
still present 4 or 6 days following abrupt dry-off
• Leakage and a mild inflammatory response occurs.
• Inflammation includes transient increase in blood flow, increased neutrophil numbers
in milk and tight junction changes.

Question 2

Dry-off treatments

Answer 2

Dry off is implemented around WW2 Classical → Shortened

Average length: 45-60 days

Question 3

Dry-off treatments

Consequences:

Answer 3

• Calving problems, dystocia
• Periparturient period
• Next lactation

Question 4

Dry-off treatments

Antibiotic usage at dry off

Answer 4

FVE position on selective dry cow treatment in dairy cows – June 2019
Blanket dry cow therapy is an effective way to treat all infected quarters at the end of lactation

Endocrine regulation of milk production

Occurrence of new intramammary infections (IMI)

Subclinical udder infections can cure during the dry off period

The effect of milk production on teat canal openings in the dry off period

Question 5

Dry-off treatments

Treatment at dry off

Answer 5

• Clean hand (glove)
• Clean teat
• Use syringes with short conus
• Inject and massage up
• Teat sealent: only to teat canal
• Post dip
• Check for 5 days
• 3 weeks before expected calving check and dip
• Record treatment

Question 6

Dry-off treatments

ANTIBIOTICS

Answer 6

Milk microbiome and bacterial load following dry cow therapy without antibiotics in dairy cows with healthy mammary gland.

New infections in sealed teats and in unsealed teats of non-
lactating cows after inoculation with 1,200 cfu S. dysgalactiae.

Question 7

Dry-off treatments

MANAGEMENT

Answer 7

1. Nutrition
   • -NMC (National Mastitis Council)
   • -Reduce concentrate 2 weeks before drying off >15-20 kg,
   • -At drying off
2. Drying off
   • Abrupt
   →Hard to perform in high producing cows
   • Gradual
   →Changes in milking frequency is harmful to the microbiological status of the cow
   →Changes in nutrition is harmful to the metabolic status of the cow