[On reasons of mortality and urgent measures for improving survivability of dairy cattle imported from abroad]

One of the most important problems which reduce the effectiveness of work with imported cattle is its high incidence in the adaptation period. Culling heifers and cows in 96.7% cases were caused by metabolic disorders which in turn are caused by using non-adapted technologies, non-compliance of food supply and rations with the clinical physiological state of animals. An analysis of the feeding base and ecosystem parameters is impossible without a toxic and ecological monitoring. It is recommended to consider 4 stages during cattle adaptation. Stage 1 – 7-10 days is the consequences of transport stress. They are –proventriculus hypotony, ulcerous abomasitis, and as a consequence of traumas – lymph extravasations, myositis and arthritis. The prevention of dysfunctions of proventriculi and abomasums requires: giving animals warm water (6-8 l) with salt (50-60 g) and sugar (150 g) for the first 3 hours after arrival, to exclude free access to water for the first 6 hours; for the first 3 days the diet should comprise only hay, water and salt at day 4 after estimation of motor activity of rumen and feces to start adaptive feeding aimed at generating ruminal microflora meeting the quality of feeds used in the farm. Stage 2 lasts 2 months during which the diets oriented to the rates as in the importing country. Any contact of imported herd with the local one is banned until this stage is completed. Stage 3 is calving and postnatal period. The reasons of pathological edema, uterine subinvolution and acute metritis are: secondary selenium deficit, disproportion of protein and energy; calcium-phosphorus and magnesium. Stage 4 finishes by the beginning of the third lactation. This stage determines economic and biological efficacy of work with imported cattle. Some examples are given to show the influence of energy deficiency in newly-calved cows on the level of gynecological pathology, body weight and productivity with regard to the breed.