- cow has been down for more than 24 hours

- cow is not suffering from hypocalcaemia

- no obvious condition: ex. Mastitis

- usually related to calving 

- most commonly related to dystocia and milk fever

1. Traumatic

2. Neurological

3. Metabolic

4. Toxaemia

1. Traumatic

cause of the downer cow

- pelvic fractures

- sacroiliac luxation/subluxation

- rupture of gastroc tendon

- dystocia- ruptured uterus, internal haemorrhage, exhaustion

2. Neurological

cause of the downer cow

- obturator paralysis- following dystocia

- sciatic paralysis- following dystocia

- peripheral nerve paralysis- peroneal and tibial due to trauma/recumbency

- General neurological conditions- BSE, botulism, tetanus

3. Metabolic

cause of the downer cow

- hypocalcaemia

- hypomagneseamia

- fat cow syndrome

- rumen acidosis

4. Toxaemia

cause of the downer cow

- acute coliform mastitis

- acute metritis

- RDA/volvulus, peritonitis

- salmonella 

pressure damage can arise

greater than 6 hours results in ischaemic necrosis and muscle damage, may become irreversible after 12 hours

1. History

2. Clinical examination

3. rectal exam

4. neuro exam

5. manipulate hind limbs

6. biochem

- How long has the animal been recumbant

- when did the cow calve?

- any problems related to calving?

- any treatments?

- where is the cow

- TLC given? 

the usual downer cow will be BAR, normal TPR, drinking normal, normal outputs

- demeanour of the cow- good if attempting to rise, 

- position of the cow and limbs- abduction of hind limbs ( doing the splits) usually indicates obturator paralysis

- frog legged- obturator and or tibial nerve paralysis

- swelling- poor prognosis- muscle damage

- check for pelvic fractures

- check the uterus

- rock pelvis during exam 

Diagnosis of primary cause: 

- metabolic: blood sample for calcium, magnesium, phosphate

- energy status

- liver damage: AST, GLDH and GGT

- Assessment of muscle damage ( rare to do) : prognostic indicators 

creatine kinase- released by damage to muscle cells- short half life

- AST ( aspartate amino transferase)- remain elevated for 1-2 weeks following muscle damage

- Myoglobin levels- serum and urine, 

will depend on: 

clinical exam

demeanour and attempts to rise

degree of muscle damage

quality of nursing available

Approx half of all the downer cows will get up in 4-7 days

prognosis is poor if the cow has been down for longer than 10 days

TLC- dry , clean , comfy bed, non slip

turning cow every 3 hours- prevent pressure damage

- provision of good quality food

- adlib water

Treat underlying disease

Anti inflammatory drugs: reduce pain and tissue damage, NSAIDs ( flunixin, ketoprofen)

Assistance in rising: hobbles or soft ropes for obturator paralysis, hip clamps ( Bagshawe hoist)

- cow nets, supportive harness, water floatation tanks

cannot transport live or dead to slaughterhouse

can kill on the farm, treat as fallen stock and proper disposal is needed. 

Cannot go for human consumption