Cows TELL you when they're SICK. Here's HOW:

We all have days when we don't feel like ourselves, not quite sick but not quite healthy either. We often wait for symptoms to worsen before taking action, which can lead to a longer recovery period. According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison dairy extension team, dairy cattle face similar challenges when symptoms go unnoticed.

Although dairy cattle can't verbally communicate their discomfort, they provide physical cues. Fresh cows are particularly vulnerable to illness or?metabolic disorders, which can negatively impact milk production and?animal welfare. The dairy extension team emphasizes the importance of managers being well-trained to identify symptoms early.

"Recognizing what is normal is crucial for identifying and assessing abnormalities," the team explains. "Inconsistencies?and minor changes are easier to detect with a?consistent pattern, rather than a?random sequence?of examination points."

Being aware of the symptoms to look for can help managers make better decisions regarding the treatment of sick animals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison dairy extension team offers these tips:

• Know the signs of a healthy animal: Healthy cattle are alert, responsive, and observant of their surroundings. In contrast,?sick animals?may exhibit lowered heads, droopy ears,?dull eyes, and lack the energy to groom their noses. Unresponsive cows that react slowly to stimuli may be unwell.

• Eyes: Clear, bright, and?alert eyes?are the norm.?Sunken eyes?suggest dehydration, while redness or discharge may signal respiratory disease. The severity of dehydration can be assessed by the degree of eye recession.

• Ears: Ears can act as an indicator for various health issues. Healthy ears should move and show curiosity.?Droopy ears?may signify depression, pain, or fever, while changes in temperature could indicate different health concerns.

• Nose: Watch for?nasal discharge?or?foul odors?that could indicate sinus infections.?Abnormal discharge?or uncleaned noses may suggest pneumonia or acidosis. Dry nostrils could be a sign of fever, while a sweet, acetone smell on the breath may indicate ketosis.

• Mouth: Monitor the cow's appetite and chewing habits. Cows that are not eating or chewing cud should be investigated further. Breathing through the mouth is only expected in extremely hot conditions.

• Manure consistency: Observe manure for consistency, appearance, and odor. Abnormal manure may indicate disease or a poorly functioning rumen.

• Vulva discharge: Check for abnormal discharge from the vulva, which could indicate?uterine infection?or?retained placenta.

• Udder: Examine the udder for abnormalities such as swelling or asymmetry, which could suggest mastitis. Udder fill and?milk yield?can also indicate the cow's health.

• Heart rate: A?normal heart rate?is 60-70 beats per minute, and a normal?respiration rate?is 30 breaths per minute. Higher rates may suggest heat stress, fever, or pneumonia.

• Rumen fill: Check the cow's rumen fill and rumination time. Insufficient rumen fill may indicate inadequate feed intake or illness.

• Rumination: Monitor rumination minutes for cows with rumination collars, aiming for at least 450 minutes per day at 5-7 days post-calving.

• Milk weights: Decreased milk production can signal potential infectious diseases or metabolic disorders. Compare daily milk production and production relative to pen mates.

By recognizing the signs of a cow feeling unwell, you can help prevent their condition from deteriorating. Keep a close eye on your cows and provide treatment when needed.

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