Diagnosis of some bovine diseases via bulk tank milk samples
2000
Zadnik, T. | Klinkon, M. | Nemec, M. | Mesaric, M. (Ljubljana Univ. (Slovenia). Veterinary Fac.)
In the future a better guarantee that the production systems are animal friendly, healthy and safe will be required. Measuring milk parameters Na, K, Cl, urea, enzymes LDH, betahydroxybutyrate (BHB), acetone, SCC and antibodies for EBL by using milk samples taken from the bulk tank, provides a simple low cost method of assessing the health status of dairy herds. In 1998, we weekly analyzed the bulk milk samples on 8 farms with 177 dairy cows. Investigated parameters Na, K, Cl, enzyme activity LDH and SCC were good and sensitive indicators for subclinical mastitis. SCC over 400.000 cell/ml in bulk milk tank was associated with increased Na (24 mmol/L), Cl (35 mol/L) and high activity of LDH enzyme (80 U/l), while K concentration decresed (38 mmol/L). Positive reactions to BHB and acetone in bulk milk samples were excellent parameters for the identification of alimentary and production type ketosis. A high urea concentration (5mmol/L) indicated an imbalance of energy, proteins and roughage in herd nutrition. Our own as well as other resent research has shown that bulk milk samples analyses are becoming the basic diagnostic material used for herd health monitoring.
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