@article{10.11648/j.avs.20190706.11,
  author = {John Lawlor and Alan Fahey and Enda Neville and Alice Stack and Finbar Mulligan},
  title = {On-farm Safety and Efficacy Trial of Cow Start Calcium Bolus},
  journal = {Animal and Veterinary Sciences},
  volume = {7},
  number = {6},
  pages = {113-118},
  doi = {10.11648/j.avs.20190706.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.avs.20190706.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.avs.20190706.11},
  abstract = {The objective of this study was to evaluate both the safety, and efficacy of supplementation at calving with a combined oral calcium and anti-oxidant bolus on post-partum metabolic status, fresh cow energy status, vaginal mucous score and early lactation milk production performance. Multiparous (n=103) cows from 3 dairy herds in Ireland were enrolled in this study and randomly assigned to either a control (CON, n=51) group or an oral bolus supplemented (BOL, n=52) group. CON cows received no oral boluses. BOL cows received 2 oral boluses, at 0 and 18 hours (hrs) after calving. Cows were fed a standard dry cow diet of second cut grass silage with supplemental pre-calving minerals, and fewer than 2.3% of all fresh cows (n=899) in these herds were treated for clinical milk fever (below target incidence level). Trial-eligible cows treated with IV calcium at calving were excluded from the trial. No adverse events associated with bolus safety were observed. The bolus was adminstered with ease and was well-tolerated by all animals. Calving and early lactation disease events were recorded. Metabolic status was evaluated by using milk ketone (beta hydroxybutyrate (BHBA)) testing at day 14 and day 21 post-partum. Cows in the BOL group recorded significantly lower milk BHBA levels (0.46mg/dl) compared to CON cows (0.67mg/dl), (p<0.0001). Milk yield, Milk Fat % and kg, Milk Protein % and kg, combined milk components (milk fat and milk protein kg) and somatic cell counts (SCC) were recorded but no significant differences were observed. Results of this study indicate that the bolus is safe to use in post-partum dairy cows. Furthermore, cows responded favourably to treatment with the bolus with regard to improved metabolic status in the critical post-partum period. Results of this study suggest that supplementing dairy cows with oral boluses can have beneficial effects, even in dairy herds with a below-average incidence of hypocalcaemia.},
 year = {2019}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - On-farm Safety and Efficacy Trial of Cow Start Calcium Bolus
AU  - John Lawlor
AU  - Alan Fahey
AU  - Enda Neville
AU  - Alice Stack
AU  - Finbar Mulligan
Y1  - 2019/12/02
PY  - 2019
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.avs.20190706.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.avs.20190706.11
T2  - Animal and Veterinary Sciences
JF  - Animal and Veterinary Sciences
JO  - Animal and Veterinary Sciences
SP  - 113
EP  - 118
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5850
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.avs.20190706.11
AB  - The objective of this study was to evaluate both the safety, and efficacy of supplementation at calving with a combined oral calcium and anti-oxidant bolus on post-partum metabolic status, fresh cow energy status, vaginal mucous score and early lactation milk production performance. Multiparous (n=103) cows from 3 dairy herds in Ireland were enrolled in this study and randomly assigned to either a control (CON, n=51) group or an oral bolus supplemented (BOL, n=52) group. CON cows received no oral boluses. BOL cows received 2 oral boluses, at 0 and 18 hours (hrs) after calving. Cows were fed a standard dry cow diet of second cut grass silage with supplemental pre-calving minerals, and fewer than 2.3% of all fresh cows (n=899) in these herds were treated for clinical milk fever (below target incidence level). Trial-eligible cows treated with IV calcium at calving were excluded from the trial. No adverse events associated with bolus safety were observed. The bolus was adminstered with ease and was well-tolerated by all animals. Calving and early lactation disease events were recorded. Metabolic status was evaluated by using milk ketone (beta hydroxybutyrate (BHBA)) testing at day 14 and day 21 post-partum. Cows in the BOL group recorded significantly lower milk BHBA levels (0.46mg/dl) compared to CON cows (0.67mg/dl), (p<0.0001). Milk yield, Milk Fat % and kg, Milk Protein % and kg, combined milk components (milk fat and milk protein kg) and somatic cell counts (SCC) were recorded but no significant differences were observed. Results of this study indicate that the bolus is safe to use in post-partum dairy cows. Furthermore, cows responded favourably to treatment with the bolus with regard to improved metabolic status in the critical post-partum period. Results of this study suggest that supplementing dairy cows with oral boluses can have beneficial effects, even in dairy herds with a below-average incidence of hypocalcaemia.
VL  - 7
IS  - 6
ER  - 

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