What to do and Why

This section will continue to evolve. The core is provided by David Anderson and Jennifer Ivany from Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine. The table below is a copy of the categories found on the their new website Bovine Medicine from Ohio State/ Downer Cows. www.vet.state.edu

This checklist breaks down the causes of recumbency. The structure is direct and easy to follow. Each category has a one paragraph discussion of clinical signs, diagnosis, and general treatment philosophy.

Most conditions emphasize the importance of veterinary expertise. Owners and vets may use this list as a decision tree to guide hands-on diagnosis.

This table derives from two additional checklists provided by David Anderson. Note that the structure in this section of the website [downcow.com/physical exam] modifies Dr. Anderson’s Decision Tree by regrouping the conditions under his three categories -

(A) Alert , (B) Alert / Depressed, (C) Depressed.

1. Examination of the Down Cow
2. Downer Cow Decision Tree

There are, of course, other ways to break down the conditions. Dr. Victor Cox’ pioneering research on down cows draws dividing lines between (1) systemic and non-systemic problems and (2) primary and secondary injuries. Here is his table showing these divisions.

Table 1

Source:
The Many Causes of Down Cows.
V.S. Cox, DVM, PhD and J. S. Onapito*, BVSc., PhD, Department of Veterinary
Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St.
Paul, MN 55108.

We decided to feature David Anderson’s approach because it seems more practical & more appropriate for the farm vs. the clinic.