Prepartum Behavior and Dry Matter Intake Identify Dairy Cows at Risk for Metritis

Abstract

Metritis is a disease of particular concern after calv- ing because of its profound negative effects on the re- productive performance of dairy cows. Cows at risk for metritis have shorter feeding times in the days before calving but prepartum dry matter intake (DMI) and water intake may also be useful in identifying cows at risk for this disease. Feeding, drinking, and intake measures may also be affected by social interactions among group-housed cows. The objective of this study, therefore, was to measure intake, feeding, drinking, and social behavior to determine which measures could identify cows at risk for metritis after calving. Feeding and drinking behavior and intake measures were collected from 101 Holstein dairy cows from 2 wk before until 3 wk after calving using an electronic monitoring system. Social behavior at the feed bunk was assessed from video recordings. Metritis severity was diagnosed based on daily rectal body temperature as well as condition of vaginal discharge that was as- sessedevery 3daftercalving untild+21.In thisstudy, 12% of cows were classified as severely metritic and 27% as mildly metritic. Prepartum feeding time and DMIwerebestabletoidentifycowsatriskformetritis. Cows that developed severe metritis spent less time feedingandconsumedlessfeedcomparedwithhealthy cows beginning 2 wk before the observation of clinical signs of infection. For every 10-min decrease in aver- age daily feeding time during the week before calving, the odds of severe metritis increased by 1.72, and for every 1-kg decrease in DMI during this period, cows were nearly 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with this disorder. During the week before calving, cows that were later diagnosed with severe metritis had lower DMI and feeding times during the hours follow- ing fresh feed delivery. During this period these cows also engaged in fewer aggressive interactions at the