Case report

Effects of an unintended high dose of monensin on milk production and milk fat in a dairy herd

Authors

  • Jocelyn Dubuc Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, CP. 5000, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada, J2S 7C6
  • Denis DuTremblay Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, CP. 5000, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada, J2S 7C6
  • Luc DesCoteaux Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, CP. 5000, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada, J2S 7C6
  • Jean Baril Elanco Animal Health, 150 Research Lane, Suite 120, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 4T2
  • Randal Bagg Elanco Animal Health, 150 Research Lane, Suite 120, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 4T2
  • Gordon H. Vessie Elanco Animal Health, 150 Research Lane, Suite 120, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 4T2

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol41no2p72-76

Keywords:

bovine, monensin, overdose, milk production, adverse effects, case reports, cows, dairy cattle, dairy cows, lactation, milk fat, milk fat percentage, milk yield

Abstract

Lactating dairy cows were accidentally fed monensin at a dose of 32.7 g per ton (36 ppm) of feed for three weeks. This resulted from a mixing error when monensin was added to the mineral premix, as well as an error in the amount of mineral fed to the lactating cows. A decrease in dry matter intake was noticed during the first three days following the mixing error. Bulk-tank milk fat percentage decreased by 0.6, but daily milk production increased by 6.9 lb (3.1 kg)/cow/day during this period, and for an additional two weeks. A residual effect on milk production and fat percentage was observed for three weeks after monensin intake returned to the prescribed dosage of 14.5 g per ton (16 ppm). This residual effect was more pronounced during the first week following resumption of the prescribed intake of monensin.

Cover image of Volume 41, No.2 of the Bovine Practitioner: a photo of the Vancouver harbor taken from a nearby hill. The skyline of Vancouver is along the horizon and the foreground is filled by a field of daisies growing among rocks.

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Published

2007-06-01

How to Cite

Dubuc, J., DuTremblay, D., DesCoteaux, L., Baril, J., Bagg, R., & Vessie, G. H. (2007). Case report: Effects of an unintended high dose of monensin on milk production and milk fat in a dairy herd. The Bovine Practitioner, 41(2), 72–76. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol41no2p72-76

Issue

Vol. 41, No. 2 (2007 Summer)

Section

Articles

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