Recumbence syndrome around calving in cattle: A Study of Risk Factors of Milk Fever in Dairy units in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

A recumbency syndrome around calving in cattle was reported in Dar es salaam during the dry season and was thought to be associated with milk fever a disease common in high producing mature dairy cattle and is related to age, dry cow nutrition and general management. This study was conducted to establish the length of dry period of cows, determine the nutritive value of concentrate supplement fed to dry pregnant cows, levels of crude protein, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium and also to establish presence of other periparturient diseases in semi intensively kept dairy crosses cattle. The nutritive value was determined in 70 samples of concentrate supplement collected from purposively selected farms. Semi structured, pre tested questionnaires were used to get information on individual farms dry pregnant cows management including length of dry period of cows, feeding regime, supplement feeding also to establish presence of other periparturient diseases. Only 22.9% farmers dry cows around the recommended 60 days, 52 % dry cows between 60 – 90 days, about 21.4% of the farmers dry their cows more than 90 days, while 1.4% continue to milk their cows until the next calf is born. About 34% of the farmers reported to have experienced the problem of milk fever during the dry season. Daily intake of CP in concentrate supplement ranged from 110 – 245g, calcium 0 – 80 g, phosphorus 16 – 25.3 g and magnesium 5 – 10.2 g. Daily intake of nutrients from herbage was 3.7 g CP, 7.98 g Ca, 1.3 g P, and 0.6 g Mg. The daily recommended levels in dry cow ration are 150g, 20-40g, 5 g, and 10 g DM for crude protein, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus respectively. Periparturient diseases reported by farmers were mastitis 44%, retained placenta 43%, udder edema 20%, delayed estrus 24%, and repeated heat 24%. These findings indicated that dry period length and management of dry cows at close up period is variable among livestock farmers. Daily requirements of nutrients were within recommended limits. It is likely that the recumbency syndrome reported was due to hypocalcaemia but further studies should be conducted to assess plasma ionized calcium levels peripartum in Dar es salaam. Starvation ketosis in the dry season when herbage nutritive value is low may not be ruled out.