Intensive Measure of Temperature in Fresh Dairy Cows

Abstract

Postpartum disease is a common occurrence in the dairy cow. Nationally about 7% of calvings and 15% of culls occur in the first 30 days postpartum. Metritis is one of the most common diseases of the postpartum period. Metritis has been shown to occur as often as 37.3% of the time (Markusfeld 2007). Monitoring of the rectal temperature of dairy cows for the first 10 days post partum is a common recommendation (100 day contract Pfizer Animal Health). Treatment with antibiotics is often recommended to be initiated if temperatures are greater than 103 to 104°F. The purpose of this study was to determine the temperature of lactating dairy cows in the first two weeks postpartum, and evaluate temperature as an indication of the need for antibiotic therapy for the treatment of metritis.