Student Case Presentation
A randomized-controlled trial examining the effects of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug administered at the time of dry-off to lactating dairy cows
| Date/Time: |
9/12/2024 2:45 pm
|
| Presenter: |
Kiara Nobbe |
| Veterinary School: |
PUR |
Abstract:
Recent studies have evaluated the importance of inflammation in dairy cows, and several studies have examined the effects of anti-inflammatories administered around the time of freshening. This study examines systemic inflammation after the end of lactation and the possible effects of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug administered on the day of dry-off for lactating dairy cows. Cows from two commercial dairy farms were enrolled on the day of dry-off and randomly allocated to receive either 750 mg of meloxicam orally (n= 410) or to remain untreated (n=417). The objective of the study was to determine haptoglobin concentration at 48-hours after dry-off, determine if administration of meloxicam affected haptoglobin at 48-hours post-administration, and determine if administration of meloxicam had effects on production outcomes through the beginning of the subsequent lactation. Blood was collected from a subset of cows (n=233) at the time of dry-off and 48 hours after dry-off for evaluation of plasma haptoglobin. Culling, milk production, reproduction, and rumination (from one farm) data were collected from herd software. Plasma haptoglobin 48-hours after dry-off was significantly lower in meloxicam treated cows (Meloxicam: 0.43 g/L, Control: 0.56 g/L; P < 0.001) and meloxicam-treated cows tended to have a lower proportion of cows removed from the farms through the first 21 days of the subsequent lactation (Meloxicam: 2.4%, Control: 4.8%; P = 0.07). Meloxicam administration at the time of dry-off may decrease inflammation associated with the cessation of milking and may decrease the proportion of cows leaving the farm through the end of the transition period.
