bovis - Articles
Cold cow syndrome
Synonym(s): mycotoxin zearalenone
Introduction
- Cause: undetermined. May be related to the intake of very high levels of soluble carbohydrates (27-43%) in the pasture or estrogenic compounds in plants and/or mycotoxins.
- Signs: hypothermia, dullness, agalactia, ataxia, falling over and profuse diarrhea.
- Diagnosis: based on clinical presentation.
- Treatment: non-specific, supportive such as housing affected cattle for 24 h. Nursing care if the affected cattle are recumbent.
- Prognosis: high morbidity (up to 80%) but low mortality.
Presenting signs
- Up to 80% of a herd may present with dullness, agalactia (sudden and dramatic milk drop), ataxia, falling over and profuse diarrhea.
- Affected cattle are hypothermic and feel cold to touch.
Geographic incidence
- The disease has been reported in herds in the UK.
- May occur on several farms in a region (outbreak).
Age predisposition
- Most commonly reported in adult (mature) milking cows.
Gender predisposition
- Most commonly reported in adult (mature) milking cows.
Public health considerations
- None.
Cost considerations
- Supportive therapy costs
- Labor expenses associated with treating affected stock
- Loss of production
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Undetermined.
- The condition may be related to the intake of very high levels of soluble carbohydrates (27-43%) in the pasture or estrogenic compounds found in plants and/or mycotoxins Mycotoxicosis.
- The mycotoxin zearalenone has been implicated in some disease outbreaks.
Predisposing factors
General
- Cows freshly turned out to pasture in the springtime.
- Does not appear to be associated with specific weather conditions.
Specific
- The condition is commonly seen in spring.
- Cattle grazing ryegrass pastures.
- Intake of very high levels of soluble carbohydrates (27-43%) in the pasture.
Pathophysiology
- Unknown.
Timecourse
- Acute presentation shortly after cows are turned out to pasture.
- Affected cattle recover rapidly.
Epidemiology
- Up to 80% of a herd maybe affected.
- Surrounding herds maybe affected at the same time (presenting as a regional outbreak).
Diagnosis
Subscribe To View
This article is available to subscribers.
Try a free trial today or contact us for more information.
Treatment
Subscribe To View
This article is available to subscribers.
Try a free trial today or contact us for more information.
Prevention
Subscribe To View
This article is available to subscribers.
Try a free trial today or contact us for more information.
Outcomes
Subscribe To View
This article is available to subscribers.
Try a free trial today or contact us for more information.
Further Reading
Publications
Refereed Papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Veterinary information service (1984) Vet Rec 114, 603.
- Schoental R (1983) Cold cow syndrome. Vet Rec 112 (25), 594 PubMed.
Other sources of information
- Radostits O M, Gay C C, Blood D C & Hinchliff K W (2006) Veterinary Medicine. In: A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Goats and Horses. 7th edn. Saunders, China. pp 1987.