Relationship between Periparturient Disorders and Simple Clinical Parameters for the Ruminal Contents and Urine during the Close-up Period in Dairy Cows

Data from 160 multiparous Holstein cows during the close-up period were collected for the evaluation of the clinical parameters (the volume and nature of the ruminal ingesta, urine pH and keton body) to predict periparturient diseases. Blood chemistry was also analyzed to assess feasibility of practical application of these parameters. 64 of the 160 cows experienced periprturient diseases such as ketosis (n=27), abomasum displacement (n=17), puerperal uterus diseases (n=12) and milk fever (n=8). The scores for the volume of the ruminal ingesta and urinary pH significantly decreased from 2-week to 1-week prepartum in the cows having periparturient diseases. The blood chemistry profile revealed high concentration of FFA and low levels of BUN, T-Cho, Glu, iP and Mg in the cows with periparturient diseases, suggesting disrupted energy balance during the close-up period. Our data suggested that these clinical parameters in cows during the close-up period were useful to predict the periparturient diseases, if examined routinely.