Exam 2: Lecture 23 - Dairy nutrition clinical case

Question 1

between the options, what do you think is the most serious issue for the cows at this moment?

A. decrease in rate of rumen contractions
B. mild diarrhea
C. standing with head lowered
D. high variability in milk production

Answer 1

A. decreases in of rumen contractions

Question 2

why might the rumen be contracting at a lower rate?

Answer 2

acidosis, blockage, hardware disease

Question 3

what are some possible diagnostic tests to perform on the sick cows

Answer 3

1. orogastric tube to check rumen pH
2. rumenocentesis to check rumen pH
3. fecal pH
4. urine pH
5. milk fat
6. blood metabolic panel

Question 4

is an orogastric tube a good choice for checking rumen pH?

Answer 4

no! because the contents are not well mixed so the pH you get may not be accurate

Question 5

how long after feeding the TMR would you perform the rumenocentesis on the cows?

Answer 5

should wait a minimum of 6 hours

Question 6

what is the acceptable fluctuation in rumen pH over a 24 hour period?

A. 1-2 pH units
B. 0.5-1 pH units
C. 2-3 pH units
D. 1.5-2 pH units

Answer 6

B. 0.5-1 pH units

Question 7

what is a normal fecal pH for cows

Answer 7

about 7.0

Question 8

what is the average normal urine pH for cows

Answer 8

about 8.5

Question 9

what is normal milk fat %?

Answer 9

about 3.7%

Question 10

would you expect milk fat % to drop if rumen pH is depressed

Answer 10

yes because in acidosis due to lower acetate production in the rumen as lactate production increases

Question 11

what does it mean when NEFAs increase

Answer 11

cow is mobilizing energy stores to compensate for deficit in dietary energy

Question 12

is it normal for rumen pH to be 5.3 after 8 hours of feeding

Answer 12

no!!! it should ride and be back above 5.8 for dairy cows in early lactation

Question 13

which type of fiber is the most imporant to maintain rumen health in dairy cows?

A. crude fiber
B. ADF
C. NDF
D. peNDF

Answer 13

D. peNDF

Question 14

The psps results indicate peNDF of 18.05%. is this adequate?

Answer 14

no! minimum 22% so not quite enough

Question 15

what are the treatment options for SARA?

Answer 15

1. feed correct diet with plenty of fiber/peNDF
2. could do a rumen inoculation from a healthy cow
3. temp add additional sodium bicarb to diet to assist in rumen buffering
4. add a direct feed microbial such as lactobacilli or enterococci that can utilize lactate in the rumen