Down Cows

Causes and Treatments

Abstract

Devices to aid and promote standing traditionally include hip lifters (hip clamp), slings and inflatable bags. While these devices help the less severely affected animals to stand temporarily, they frequently fail to allow for hours of comfortable standing, and they may even induce additional trauma in struggling animals. For these reasons, the use of water flotation was explored as a tool in the management of downer cows. The idea of water flotation is not new. Rasmussen reported on the use of a warm water flotation system in 1982.¹¹