Hypocalcemia and Other Associated Peri and Early Post-partum Problems of Dairy Cows in North-Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Hypocalcemia is the most important metabolic problems commonly affect transition dairy cows. (Sub) clinical hypocalcemia also prone the cow to an increased risk of several transition period problems. The current cross sectional study was conducted from January 2018 to May 2018 to estimate prevalence and identify associated risk factors of hypocalcaemia and other peri- and early post-partum period problems of dairy cows in North-Western Ethiopia specifically: Bahir Dar, Debretabor and Gondar. Methods : Data of 1527 cows was collected by face to face interview from 288 dairy farmers by using a semi-structured questionnaire. Serum calcium level was measured from blood samples collected within 12-48 hours of calving from 88 cows that have given birth during the study period. Ordinary and mixed logistic regressions with random herd effect models were used to check the association between the variables. Results : Prevalence of peri- and early post-partum reproductive problems was 80.6% (232/288) and 30.1% (459/1527) at herd and cow level, respectively. At herd level, retention of fetal membrane had the highest prevalence 41.3% followed by clinical mastitis 34.7% and milk fever 25.3%. Prevalence of the rest problems was dystocia 18.1%, clinical metritis 17% and vaginal and uterine prolapse 6.6%. At cow level, retention of fetal membrane 9.7%, clinical mastitis 8.4%, milk fever 5.6%, dystocia 4.1%, clinical metritis (4.3%) and vaginal and uterine prolapse was 1.2%. Subclinical hypocalcemia was confirmed in 26.1% (23/88) of cows. Herd size was significantly associated (p<0.05) with peri- and early post-partum problems at herd level. Milk fever, retained fetal membrane, and clinical mastitis were significantly associated (p<0.05) with milk yield and parity. Clinical metritis was significantly associated (p<0.05) with parity. Subclinical hypocalcemia was significantly associated (p<0.05) with milk yield, parity and body condition score. Conclusion : From this study the prevalence of (sub) clinical hypocalcemia was on the lower border of the intervals reported by most studies. One or more peri- and early post-partum clinical problems were occurred from one third of dairy cows in the study areas. Factors associated with (sub) clinical hypocalcemia are associated with some of peri- and early post-partum problems