Postpartum uterine diseases in dairy cows : a review with emphasis on subclinical endometritis

In this review, updated and precise definitions of the most common postpartum uterine diseases in dairy cows are provided. An aberrant uterine environment at inappropriate stages of the reproductive cycle inflicts damage to gametes and zygotes, impairing the reproductive performance of dairy cows. This involves major economic losses for the milk production unit. Consequently, an accurate diagnosis of postpartum uterine diseases is indispensable for practitioners to set up a prompt and efficient treatment. This review furthermore emphasizes on the new perspectives regarding diagnosis and treatment of subclinical endometritis, a highly prevalent uterine disease that is often overlooked by practitioners while causing major reproductive problems. Based on a more profound clinical understanding of the postpartum uterine disease complex, practitioners will be able to better use the available diagnostic tools and therefore apply a more efficient therapeutic approach

Digital dermatitis in cattle, part I : factors contributing to the development of digital dermatitis

Digital dermatitis or Mortellaro's disease is a highly prevalent bovine dermatological disorder situated in the foot region that causes lameness and impairs animal welfare. In this first part of a twin paper, the role of genetics, immunity, bacteria and hygiene in the development of this complex disease are described. There is still no consensus regarding the role of the immune system and the typically isolated Treponema spp. in the pathogenesis of digital dermatitis. Moisture and dirt are undoubtedly important for disease transmission in and between dairy farms; furthermore, the genetic component of the disease will be more deeply discussed

Digital dermatitis in cattle, part II : treatment, prevention and link with other treponemal diseases

Digital dermatitis is the most common cause of lameness worldwide in dairy cattle. In this final part of a twin paper, treatment options and strategies to prevent digital dermatitis are reviewed. There is a wide range of different treatments available but none of them can completely cure the animal. Footbaths and applying high standards for hygiene are ways to keep this disease under control. Moreover, the link to other (human and non-human) treponemal diseases will be discussed. In humans, treponemes are involved in periodontal disease, syphilis and many other illnesses. The dermatological manifestation of some of these human diseases such as yaws have a similar appearance like acute digital dermatitis. Digital dermatitis-like lesions have been described in goats, sheep and elks. The typically isolated Treponema spp. can also be found in equine proliferative pododermatitis affected feet. Besides in digital dermatitis, these bacteria can be found in bovine ulcerative mammary dermatitis and badly healing lesions in cattle

Are modern dairy cows suffering from modern diseases?

Overconditioning at calving is one of the most important risk factors for modern dairy cows to develop diverse health problems during the transition period. Currently, the metabolic syndrome gains much attention in human medicine. Research shows that the adipose tissue itself plays a crucial role in the increased susceptibility of obese people to a range of health problems, with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus as the most important problems. The purpose of the present paper is to describe the human metabolic syndrome and the fat cow syndrome with emphasis on both the similarities and differences. It may lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the fat cow syndrome, giving rise to innovative insights into how to improve the management of modern dairy cows in the transition period

Prenatal programming of later performance in dairy cattle = Prenatale programmering van latere prestaties bij melkvee

Prenatal programming refers to the fact that insults during pre- and early postnatal life can have long-term consequences on the health and performance. In diary cattle, physiological conditions, such as maternal body growth, milk yield and parity, and environmental conditions during gestation can create a suboptimal environment for the developing fetus. As a consequence, adaptations of the placental and newborn phenotype take place. In addition, potential long-term effects of prenatal programming influence body growth, fertility, milk yield and longevity in dairy cows. These results suggest that the current management systems may pose a risk for the long-term health and performance of dairy cattle. Hence, in management practices, all pre- and postnatal aspects should carefully be considered in order to raise healthier and more productive dairy cows