Transition cows may be at risk for:
- Clinical or subclinical hypocalcemia (milk fever) – Low blood calcium
- Displaced abomasum – Rotation of the abomasum out of its normal position, potentially leading to obstruction and compromised blood supply
- Fatty-liver syndrome – Excessive accumulation of fat in the liver
- Ketosis – High blood concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids and ketone bodies, as well as low concentrations of glucose, leading to anorexia and depression
- Mastitis – Inflammation of the mammary glands
- Metritis – Inflammation of the uterus after calving
- Retained placenta – Failure of the calf’s side of the placenta, or fetal membranes, to separate from the mother’s side
Poor transition to lactation can also lead to a loss of up to 4,000 pounds of unrealized milk yield per cow per lactation.1
