Diseases affecting dairy cows

There are a range of diseases affecting dairy cows with different impacts on welfare, productivity and profitability. Understanding what might be circulating in your herd is a vital first step in managing and controlling disease.

There are many diseases that affect dairy cows, with some being more significant than others.

Diseases may compromise animal welfare, limit productivity or add additional costs to your business.

The relative impact of different diseases depends on the health status of your herd, so it is advisable to work with your vet to assess your own situation.

Plan

Creating an active, flexible and bespoke health plan enables you to improve the effectiveness of disease control on your farm by managing product choices, protocols and time of application.

Working with your vet to plan ahead and make informed decisions about the best use of medicines on your farm can can also increase efficiency.

Prevent

Implementing good biosecurity measures on your farm is one of the most effective ways you can reduce disease.

By preventing disease on your farm, you will save money and time incurred by treating sick animals, as well as reduce the need for reactive treatments and improve your environmental footprint.

Protect

Protecting your livestock with vaccines and ensuring newborns consume enough good quality colostrum quickly after birth will help reduce the level of disease on your farm and subsequently reduce the need for antibiotics.

Diseases that affect dairy cows

Below are some common diseases affecting dairy cows, along with clinical signs, transmission and treatment.

Notifiable diseases

Notifiable diseases are diseases that you are legally obliged to report to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), even if you only suspect an animal is affected.

If you suspect a notifiable disease, you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. Failure to do so is an offence.

In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office.

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